| Name | Mikel Merino |
|---|---|
| Squad number | 23 |
| Date of Birth: | June 22, 1996 |
| Place of birth | Pamplona, Spain |
| Signed for Arsenal: | August 27, 2024 |
| Signed from: | Real Sociedad |
| ARSENAL DEBUT | v Paris Saint-Germain (H), Champions League, October 1, 2024 |
| first arsenal goal | v Liverpool (H), Premier League, October 27, 2024 |
Spain international midfielder Mikel Merino enjoyed a promising first season where he was also deployed as a striker in the second half of 2024/25.
Mikel played 44 times during a debut campaign which saw him net crucial goals against the likes of Chelsea, Leicester City and the third in a memorable 3-0 victory against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. He would end the campaign with nine goals and five assists in all competitions.
The powerful, athletic midfielder was also an integral part of the Real Sociedad side and he won more duels (326) than any other player in Europe’s big five leagues during 2023/24.
Able to operate in a variety of midfield roles, Mikel is comfortable with the ball at his feet in tight spaces, while also posing a considerable aerial threat.
He started his career at Osasuna – where his father had also played – in the Segunda Division before joining Borussia Dortmund and winning the German Cup under Thomas Tuchel in 2016/17.
He spent the following campaign at Newcastle United, initially on loan, and made 25 appearances for the Magpies, scoring one goal – a headed winner against Crystal Palace at St. James’ Park in October 2017 – before joining Sociedad in the summer of 2018. He was named Player of the Match as the Basque club won the Copa del Rey in 2020 and made 242 appearances in total, scoring 27 goals.
A full international since 2020, Mikel was a standout performer at Euro 2024, featuring in every game for Spain and scoring the 119th-minute winner–a header from Dani Olmo’s cross – against Germany in the quarter-final.
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