Arsenal's Mikel Merino has sent a message to Liverpool after a 1-0 defeat at Anfield and says the title is never decided after three games.
Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino started for Arsenal at Anfield (Image: Getty Images)
Mikel Merino insists Arsenal can still achieve "big things" this season and maintains that the title is never settled after just a few matches. Liverpool sent out a powerful message in this season's championship battle by defeating Arsenal in their crucial clash at Anfield. This result will be viewed as a setback to Arsenal's confidence that they can surpass Arne Slot's table-toppers this term.
However, Merino argues Arsenal's squad boasts greater strength this season following the club's £250million summer transfer splurge and believes it remains premature to draw conclusions. Merino declared: "I think we are a different squad, but I think the mentality on the team is that we can do big things. Obviously, we want to take that next step, and I think we are ready. It's going to be a tough one, it's going to be a long one, and we know it's not going to be decided in the first five games, so be patient, take the positives and carry on. Very excited for this squad, but the amount of quality that we have, the amount of depth that we have now, is going to be crucial for the future."
Merino reckons Arsenal and Liverpool will be battling for the championship throughout the entire campaign and the fact their recent encounter was settled by Dominik Szoboszlai's late spectacular strike demonstrates how narrow the margins are between them.
Regarding the title contenders, Merino remains adamant Arsenal and Liverpool will be amongst the frontrunners. "I think two of them, for sure," he said.
"Two big squads, two prime mentality teams that always want to attack, always want to win games, and are going to be winning lots of games during the season, but we have many other teams that have the same qualities, also good squads around the league.
"It was a bittersweet feeling, I think. Obviously very disappointed on the fact that we lost, but I think it also has some positives to take. We saw a really good team here at Arsenal. I think we followed the game plan.
"In the future, I think when we look back and analyse the game, we're going to see many good things. It felt like a very tight, cagey game."
Liverpool v Arsenal - Premier League
Mikel Merino and Arsenal lost 1-0 to Liverpool (Image: Getty)
Merino maintained Arsenal weren't defensive in their tactics at Anfield despite Gunners manager Mikel Arteta facing criticism for his cautious team selection.
Rather, Merino highlighted how Arsenal's fresh signings - including Viktor Gyokeres - require time to gel before delivering their finest performances.
Merino continued: "I think the mentality is always to go forward, to be attacking, to be aggressive, to try to dominate the game and create chances, but sometimes the game of football is like this.
"We're very excited for coming back, and still create those relationships with the new guys. Everyone needs time to adapt, and in the future, I think we're going to be ready."
Arsenal's additional concern centres on last season's injury disruption and, following merely three matches, they're already facing a mounting casualty list with Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and now William Saliba all sidelined. That cannot be attributed solely to misfortune as, in previous times, there was considerable discourse about red zones and Arteta's training methods are celebrated for their intensity but seldom generate such extensive debate.
Merino now believes Arsenal possess a squad capable of managing such challenges.
Merino continued: "I guess it's just part of football, and as a player that has been around it for a long time, I know that this can happen, so the mentality is always to be ready. Not only me, but the whole squad.
"We have a deep squad now, we have a very quality-oriented squad, and what we have to do is just be patient, be focused on every single game. It's unfortunate that injuries are part of the game, but it's the reality, and we have to be ready to step in."