Mikel Merino Backs Arsenal’s Bid for Premier League and Champions League Glory
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino believes the club have the belief and squad quality required to pursue both the Premier League and Champions League this season after coming close to European glory last term.
The reigning English champions have won nine of their opening 10 matches in all competitions. Their only setback was a surprise 3-0 league defeat at Brighton, a result which has left Mikel Arteta’s side three points behind Manchester City in the Premier League table. They responded in Europe on Tuesday, beating Lille to make it two wins from two in this season’s Champions League.
That result also extended Arsenal’s extraordinary Champions League group-stage sequence to 14 consecutive wins, a run which has lasted almost two years. Arsenal’s previous European campaign ended painfully, with Paris St Germain winning their tie on penalties, but Merino said that disappointment has reinforced the group’s conviction that they can compete for the biggest prizes.
“It is an absolutely unbelievable run,” Merino said of the group-stage record. “We understand that we are making history. But we also know how hard it is to win matches, so the team deserves a lot of credit for what it is doing.
“The objective is to win the Champions League, the Premier League and everything possible. That is what the manager wants, what the supporters want and what we players want as well.”
Asked whether Arsenal are equipped to achieve that double this season, the Spain international was unequivocal. “Absolutely,” he said. “That is our mentality and our target. We came so close last season and that showed us we are capable of it. Now it comes down to details: being ready and being present in the key moments. Of course we believe it.”
Forest first, then Bayern test
Arsenal’s next Premier League assignment takes them to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest before they travel to Germany next week for a Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich. Victory against Bayern would take their group-phase winning run to 15 matches.
Arteta could have Martín Zubimendi available again for the Forest match after the midfielder hurt his ankle during a training session following last weekend’s win over Leeds. The manager gave a more cautious update on Piero Hincapié, who sustained an ankle problem in the same post-match training period at the Emirates Stadium.
“Zubi is much, much better,” Arteta said. “Piero is improving, but it appears to be more significant. I think it will be weeks before he is available, although we do not know precisely how many.”
