Mikel Merino confessed that watching Paris Saint-Germain lift the Champions League trophy was a painful experience - before revealing how he thinks Arsenal can improve.
The Gunners' ace played every minute of their semi-final clash against the eventual champions, who bested them 3-1 on aggregate before trouncing Inter Milan 5-0 in the final.
This left the north London side lamenting a missed opportunity to compete in the European Cup final for the first time since 2006 and also dashed their hopes of ending the season with silverware.
It marked a fifth consecutive season without a trophy for Arsenal, as Merino reflected on missing out on the chance to play in the final, confessing that watching the match between PSG and Inter left him wounded by his team's failure.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, he expressed: "Yes (sighs), the other day it hurt me to see the final after feeling so close," when questioned about whether he still feels the pain of Arsenal's semi-final defeat.
"I think that Arsenal, for the two games they played in the semi-finals, deserved to be there. In the end, it's about details, individual brilliance, and in this case Donnarumma saved two chances and the first fifteen minutes in Paris that could have given us the tie, but that's football nowadays; even if we are perfect as a team, it's all decided by details."
Arsenal players during the Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain
Mikel Merino was transformed into a striker by Mikel Arteta after Arsenal's injury crisis (Image: Photo by Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Merino, traditionally a defensive midfielder who can push forward at times, was converted into a striker mid-season by Mikel Arteta following an injury crisis that ravaged their attacking options.
The Spain international proved his worth at Arsenal, contributing nine goals in all competitions last season and only being outscored by team-mates Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard.
Although it wasn't his first taste of English football, having played 25 games for Newcastle United in the 2017/18 season, Merino shared how his time in London has contributed to his personal development: "I am more mature," he said.
"The experiences, the change of scenery, and getting out of your comfort zone make you tougher, it makes you grow. Going through hard times, realising what you have and what you don't have, seeing what you have to improve," reports the Mirror.
Mikel Merino of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's third goal with team-mate Declan Rice
The Spaniard vowed to continue developing his game in front of goal (Image: 2025 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
"This year has been different; I have learned a lot from a group with different nationalities, from a different culture, which makes me more mature." With hopeful eyes set on Arteta bringing in a new striker this summer, Merino hinted that his growth and improvements in attacking prowess would continue to benefit the Gunners.
"I always saw myself in the danger zone, I've always been a great finisher and I've always been close to the opponent's box," he stated. "I haven't exploited it in terms of numbers, scoring goals, as much as I could, but I was comfortable near the box.
"I have physical power, and when it comes to finishing, that creates problems for the centre-backs and is dangerous, but it's true that I've never seen myself as a centre-forward. This year, I've had the opportunity to grow, and I'm developing my game, which will be very good for me."
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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