Mikel Merino of Arsenal in action against Monaco
Mikel Merino of Arsenal in action against Monaco
Mikel Merino believes Arsenal are ready to come of age in the Champions League this season.
Gunners midfielder Merino says they have a “maturity” within the squad which can make them genuine challengers in Europe this season. Merino pointed to the emergence of teenage full back Myles Lewis-Skelly and also the new-look midfield with him, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Spain international Merino, 28, part of his nation’s Euros winning squad last summer, also says the Champions League could be open this year if anyone can match Real Madrid ’s “amazingly good” knack of coming good in the competition.
Merino said: “We have an amazing squad, you can see it. The competition is at the highest, the level of every single player is huge. I think that's good news for the coach, for the club, for the squad because we're pushing each other and everyone has to raise the level to play. So yeah, I think that's a positive.
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“The Champions League is a competition where small details and boxes are the things that change the game and you have to be really good at that. Real Madrid have been amazingly good at that in the past few years and I think it's going to keep being like that. So, the Champions League is a whole different thing and we have to be ready for every single game.
“We have a really mature team. You can see in some phases of the game where obviously you're not going to be 90 minutes being on top of the opponent and just dominating and you will have phases where you will have to defend. And in those phases where the team is not maybe in control of the game, we can manage it and I think the players are not panicking when they don't have the control of the game. So they are calm, composed and that shows maturity in that aspect too.”
Merino praised youngster Lewis-Skelly - who made his first start in the Champions League - for his performance against Monaco and also enjoyed playing with Rice and Odegaard in midfield.
“He's an amazing guy. He's a really good kid, always humble, just trying to learn from the others, asking questions, not being worried of being judged for asking maybe a stupid question or whatever,” said Merino on Lewis-Skelly. “He's always just trying to learn with a positive attitude and he also has that technical and physical level that will bring a lot of joy to the people who watch him play. You could see the composure, you could see the quality he has.
“It was a special midfield for the team and I felt really comfortable with those two. I mean, they are top class players. I think the three of us complement each other very well. We have different qualities and characteristics, but at the same time, we know how to play with each other.
“It's about timing and more time with each other to learn what we want and where we want the ball and the places where we are comfortable. But yeah, I think anyone who plays in this midfield or any position in this team is doing a great job and that's the main thing.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly starred in his first Champions League start.
Arsenal could now be just one win - they face Dinamo Zagreb at home next month - from securing a top eight finish which means they go straight into the last 16 and avoid a play-off.
He added: “This is the goal. I mean, you have to aim for the top places of the table. Right now, I think we are having a good season in the Champions League as well and we have to keep it up.
“We aim for the highest, obviously, with our feet on the ground because we have to stay humble and try to be focused on the things we can improve because there are obviously things we can improve. But also having in mind that we are an amazing team and we have to be confident and keep growing.”
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