The Gunners now have just one final friendly standing in their way of their season opener against Lyon.
On Wednesday, Arsenal faced the Bundesliga champions in Bayer Leverkusen and it could not have gone much better for Arteta’s side.
Despite not having their only summer signing, Calafiori, on display the Gunners ran riot with a 4-1 victory over the German side which went unbeaten in the league last term.
Optimism has to be high around north London going into the new campaign and that would certainly be added to if they are able to sign Merino.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Merino has informed the likes of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona that his wish is to join Arsenal this summer.
The Gunners are still in active talks with Real Sociedad to try and get a deal over the line with a few weeks remaining in the window.
Personal terms are not an issue for Merino with the Spain international having already agreed to what has been offered by the Gunners.
But the two clubs are going to keep working on the payment structure of a potential deal with the fee expected to be in excess of €25m (£21m).
