Mikel Merino mentioned what has helped **Arsenal**to be such a defensively solid side.
The Gunners have conceded only three goals across their first eight Premier League fixtures: a record that their next Champions League opponents, Atletico Madrid, would be proud of under Diego Simeone. It is world away from the image of an entertaining but frail outfit from the playing days of Mikel Arteta, whose demands for defensive discipline are of the highest standards.
Merino is one of several Spanish players to have joined the club in the last couple of years under Arteta. He was attracted to work with a fellow Basque, and he has always been impressed by the way that the elements of the defensive unit have been drilled. He admits that players can step in and out of the side while knowing their roles, and the collective have cultivated a love for defending first.
**Arsenal**earned a pair of 2-0 victories against **Athletic Club**and **Olympiacos**in their first two matches of the Champions League, and they will look to keep a third clean sheet in midweek.
"First of all, it has to be from inside, you have to love to defend, you have to love to not concede goals. Sometimes, everyone, maybe in different teams, the main focus is to score, maybe to make a beautiful pass and to enjoy the little highlights.
"But to be honest, if you want to be a champion, you need to be an all-around team. If you can keep a clean sheet, the chances of you winning the game are massive. Then having such good quality players like we have and the mentality we all have as a team is crucial.
"Then it comes to training, it comes to everyone knowing his role, what he has to do, depending on who's attacking you. It's a work that has to be done by everyone."