Mikel Merino watched on as the brilliant Eberechi Eze carved his name into Arsenal folklore with a stunning hat trick in his first North London derby against Tottenham
Mikel Merino heaped praise on Eberechi Eze after running riot against Tottenham
Mikel Merino heaped praise on Eberechi Eze after running riot against Tottenham
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Mikel Merino has hailed Eberechi Eze as a “difference maker” - and a down-to-earth superstar. Boyhood Arsenal fan Eze, 27, lived out his dream by scoring a hat trick in his first ever North London derby following his mega £67.5m summer move to the Emirates.
Arsenal spent big in the summer to deliver the title and Merino insisted that all of them have bought into the squad mentality which he says is arguably the most important thing of all.
The likes of Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi have raised the level and helped push Arsenal six points clear at the top. But they have all fitted seamlessly into the squad and Merino says you could not wish to meet someone more grounded than Eze.
Spain midfielder Merino said: “We have signed so many players who can be a difference. But you can see many other teams that have made big, big transfers as well.
“Even though individuals can win games, the main thing is the team and if you have very good individuals, but not sticking together, that is a problem. The good thing in this team is that everyone thinks about the team first, which is the main objective.
“I think he is very complete. He can dribble, he can pass the ball. He has one very good thing. . he is really good like we say in Spain. . . associating with each other. In Spain we are born and we are raised with this talent of playing with each other, passing the ball and connecting.
“He is also mentality-driven to passing the ball and sharing the game but at the same time he can dribble and is very strong. He can shoot and is really complete. An amazing signing.
“I think now, everyone judges players in terms of goals and assists - numbers. It is what it is. But as football players we know that he is providing the team with a lot of quality and a lot of good movements, technically. In training sessions, you know how good he is.
“So yes, goals came but he is an unbelievable player and we are really, really lucky to have him. He can play in different positions and adapt to different styles. It was a massive signing for Arsenal.”
Eberechi Eze celebrates after scoring his hat-trick goal to make it 4-1 during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium.
Eze's down-to-earth attitude has seen him integrate seamlessly into the Arsenal squad
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Merino also believes Eze’s attitude plus the competition in the squad is vital for the title challenge. He added: “You can see the calmness in Eberechi’s voice and the way he presents himself.
"He is very confident and also every morning, we sit in a sauna at the training ground and we can have a really good talk with him about everything. He is just a nice guy and already very integrated within the team and we need those type of players.
“Competition is high. A lot of quality in the squad. This is what the gaffer wanted to have many players available with the best quality possible.
“It is tough for him to make decisions over who is playing and who is not playing but at the same time, at every training session, we are pushing each other and everyone is getting the benefit.”