Merino spoke about ‘huge honour’ of captaining Arsenal
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Mikel Merino of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Merino reflected on a 4-2 win for Arsenal against Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup.
·‘A good union between supporters and players’
The Spaniard wore the armband at Portman Road in the third round of the cup competition, and he was proud to be entrusted by compatriot Mikel Arteta to lead the Gunners in front of the away fans.
"It’s a huge honour. I’m so proud to represent this club in this way, wearing the armband - many legends have done it before me. To me it’s happiness, and I try to do the best thing I can to represent this club, and I know how big it is to wear the armband, so I’m really happy.”
"It doesn’t matter where we go, [the fans] are there, behind us, supporting, giving us all the strength.
“That’s what we need to keep doing big things - being a good union between supporters and players.
"We’re used to it [the schedule]; we know that we have all day travelling. Sometimes it’s hard to get away with family and friends, but it’s our job, it’s our passion, and we do it for the shirt. Yeah, tough challenges in front of us, but we’re ready for them, for sure.”
·‘Always good to be on the scoresheet’
The high press is one of the strengths of Arsenal, and after Christian Walton gambled with a pass out of the back, Merino dinked the ball to Noni Madueke to set up the second goal in the game. He also netted himself to get the Gunners’ last goal of the match, leading by example from midfield.
"I think the assist was high pressure on the team, where I’m really alive to find that second ball and find Noni, and then he finishes with a really nice finish, and then the goal is a really good action from the team in the last third.
“When I get the ball, I can open the first touch and then just put it where the ‘keeper couldn’t get, so very, very happy, always good to be on the scoresheet, and will keep looking to score more goals."
Embed from Getty Images
Arsenal's Spanish midfielder #23 Mikel Merino scores the team's fourth goal during the League Cup third Round football match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road in Ipswich, eastern England on September 15, 2026. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Arsenal's Spanish midfielder #23 Mikel Merino scores the team's fourth goal during the League Cup third Round football match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road in Ipswich, eastern England on September 15, 2026. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
·‘He’s an unbelievable talent’
Merino received the ball after a dummy from Max Dowman to sweep home the fourth goal of the game, and the teenager scored a brace on the evening. His first goal, involving a central carry and sharp one-two with Eberechi Eze, was particularly impressive, indicating his immense potential.
"He’s an unbelievable talent, honestly, so young, so alive, and you can see the joy in his eyes when he plays football. Many things to improve - he’s very young - he needs to keep listening and learning from the veterans, but we’re here to support him and get him to the best version of himself, for sure.”