Arsenal - Mikel Merino
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has declared that the Gunners are capable of winning the Champions League after their emphatic seven-goal demolition of PSV Eindhoven in the knockout stages.
Merino believes the dominant display was a clear statement of intent from Mikel Arteta’s side as they aim for European glory.
“I guess that whenever you start a competition like this, if you don’t think that you can win it, it’s better not to come and play,” Merino said.
“I think it has to be the goal of every single team in this tournament—and it is ours, for sure. We are here to win, to win every single game, and if we do what we know we can do, in the end, I think we will be close to winning it.”
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Despite the confidence, Merino emphasised the importance of staying focused on each game rather than getting ahead of themselves.
“We don’t have to focus too much on it. We have to be proud, but at the same time, think about the next game. It is coming real soon, and we need to show the same mentality that we did at PSV.”
Arsenal - Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino celebrate his first Champions League goal for Arsenal against PSV (Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal are set to face the winners of the Madrid derby in the quarter-finals, and the squad could be further strengthened by the potential returns of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka. However, their absence has allowed another emerging talent to shine—Ethan Nwaneri.
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The 17-year-old midfielder has been a revelation, scoring eight goals this season, putting him just one goal behind the record set by Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney before turning 18.
Nwaneri, at 17 years and 348 days, also became Arsenal’s second-youngest player to start a Champions League knockout match, delivering a standout performance that has transformed the mood at the club.
From a season that seemed to be fading, Arsenal now believe they can challenge for the biggest prize in European football.
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