Spain international Mikel Merino has completed his move to Arsenal from LaLiga outfit for Real Sociedad on a long-term contract after a lengthy summer chase from the Premier League side.
The 28-year-old midfielder has been a vital member of Sociedad’s team since joining the Basque side in 2018, scoring 27 goals and providing 30 assists in 242 appearances.
The former Newcastle man played just 25 times for the Magpies in his previous stint in England but has taken his game to another level since his switch to Sociedad six years.
He played an integral role as they won the 2020 Copa del Rey, and qualified for the Champions League last season, while he won more duels for possession than any other player in Europe’s top leagues last season, with 326 recoveries.
Merino has also been capped 28 times by Spain, winning the 2023 UEFA Nations League title along with success at Euro 2024 as England were beaten 2-1 in the final.
He is now expected to play a significant part in Arsenal’s bid to end Manchester City’s stranglehold on the Premier League trophy, with Arteta’s men finishing runners-up the last two seasons.
