Following Arsenal’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday, which denied them the opportunity to take the top spot in the Premier League, manager Mikel Arteta addressed concerns regarding one of his key players, Mikel Merino. Arteta acknowledged that the midfielder, who joined with significant expectations, has not yet fully adapted to the challenges of English football.
In his post-match remarks, Arteta recognized Merino’s struggles: “Right now, Merino hasn’t fully adjusted to English football. The pace and intensity here are different. In Spain, when you receive the ball, you have a moment to think about your next move. In the Premier League, there’s no time for that.”
The Spanish midfielder, recognized for his technical skills and vision, has excelled in La Liga and with Spain’s national team, but his adjustment to the Premier League’s fast-paced and physical style has been challenging. Merino has frequently faced pressure from opponents, which has hindered his ability to control the game as he did in Spain.
Despite these challenges, Arteta remains confident in Merino’s potential to adapt: “I am totally confident he can adjust to the Premier League.” The Arsenal manager believes that, given time, Merino will overcome these hurdles and become an essential part of the team.
Saturday’s loss has raised concerns among Arsenal fans, especially as the team was close to taking the league lead. However, Arteta’s trust in Merino indicates that the midfielder’s best performances are still ahead, and the manager hopes Merino can quickly find his rhythm to help Arsenal recover from this setback.
