Last season's painful penalty shoot-out defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League has only fuelled the dressing room's determination to finish the job this time around.
Pressed on whether the squad is primed to complete the double this term, Merino replied: "Absolutely. This is our mentality and the aim. We were so, so close last season. That proved to us that we are ready for it. Now it's about details. It's about being present and ready in the right moments, and of course we believe that."
Ahead of next week's trip to Germany to face Bayern Munich, [Arsenal received a fitness boost with Martin Zubimendi overcoming an ankle issue](https://www.goal.com/en/lists/mikel-arteta-martin-zubimendi-arsenal-nottingham-forest/blt774079b6fb4d229f?fb=link&fbclid=IwY2xjawU9EtNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR44N8_u90lyCfv41-yMrZFdB86pruaAQuPnWGvohwq3Rc3XjgKTYgstRc3ViQ_aem_LvSh4Od266KmBsFtUwgzSg) picked up in training after the win over Leeds United, though Piero Hincapie sustained a heavier knock at Emirates Stadium.
Delivering an update on the pair, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed: "Zubi is much, much better. Piero is improving, but it looks more significant. I think it will be a matter of weeks \[before he is available\], but we don't know exactly how many."