Arsenal head into a pivotal stretch of their season as they compete on multiple fronts, but Gunners midfielder Mikel Merino says his team are up for the challenge
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino was fortunate to avoid a second yellow card against Aston Villa
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino is eyeing glory(Image: (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images))
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Mikel Merino insists Arsenal are ready for their fixture pile-up because they are “hungry” to win trophies this season. Arsenal will become the first top-flight team to play four consecutive away matches in four different competitions in the space of ten days.
They won at Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Sunday, face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi final first leg on Wednesday, go to Nottingham Forest on Saturday in the title race and then face Inter Milan in the Champions League next Tuesday.
It is an exhausting run which will test the strength and resolve of Mikel Arteta’s squad but Merino insists they are all determined to win silverware this season.
Gunners boss Arteta only has one FA Cup to his name since taking charge in 2019 and now Arsenal are in the mix for four trophies this season. That is why Merino says Arsenal will take every game seriously and focus on winning no matter what competition they are in.
Gunners midfielder Merino said: “The hunger is there. It’s been there for a long time. Sometimes it’s a matter of details, it’s a matter of situations, of minutes, of moments, that doesn’t let you win.
“But the hunger has been there, and you can see it every training session. And it will be there until the end of the season.
“The FA Cup and Wembley sounds like a dream. There is still a long way to go. Now we are focusing on the next game that is coming. But obviously, we have to have those big goals in our mind. Obviously, focusing first on the next game.
“Every game matters. For us, it doesn’t matter if it’s the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup, or a friendly. It’s not only about the competition we’re playing for, it’s just that we’re playing for the badge, we are playing for our reputation.
“And every game that we wear this shirt, we have to do our best. We have to win, and we have to put in a good performance. So the main thing is to show that we are Arsenal, that we are ready to compete every single time, and the rest will take care of itself.
Arsenal thumped Portsmouth to secure FA Cup qualification
Arsenal thumped Portsmouth to secure FA Cup qualification(Image: )
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“Winning every game is the end goal. We have to focus on doing our best. That’s the main thing for us. And when we do our best, we know we’re going to be close to winning every game.
“But obviously, in the end, if you don’t win, the rest seems like it doesn’t matter. But we are focused on ourselves, on doing our best, and showing the best capacity that we have.”
Merino also pointed to the return of fit-again Kai Havertz as an “amazing” boost while the depth of the squad gives them hope to carry on winning on four fronts despite the demands.
Merino added: “Amazing, amazing. We’re all buzzing for Kai to come back after a big, big injury. To have him around is so good for everyone, for the atmosphere in the training ground, for the support that he gives us as well in the training ground, having him around every training session.
Mikel Merino of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Brentford at Emirates Stadium on December 03, 2025 in London, England.
Merino insists Arsenal are ready for their gruelling stretch across the next two weeks(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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“And now having him on the pitch is one more asset, one more tool for the coach. We are really happy for him.
“You can see the depth in the squad. Obviously, when you make so many changes, sometimes it can be tricky, because we are not used to playing with each other, and those connections are very, very important.
“But at Portsmouth you saw a team full of quality, a team full of attitude and hard work, and that’s the good thing. Everyone is involved, everyone is going to be important at the end of the season.
“And we all have to be ready on our toes, because games come thick and fast, and you never know when it’s going to be your time.”