Arsenal Legend Praises Club’s Midfield Reinforcements

Ray Parlour, a legendary Arsenal player, has backed the club’s pursuit of midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad. The Gunners are close to signing the Spain international, and Parlour believes the £25 million deal will strengthen the team’s midfield.

Having recently invested £42 million in defender Riccardo Calafiori, manager Mikel Arteta is looking to bolster his midfield squad. Merino’s availability, with just a year left on his Sociedad contract, makes him a cost-effective solution for the Spaniard. The 28-year-old midfielder should be in his prime and could offer a box-to-box presence to Arteta’s team.

In an exclusive interview with talkSPORT, Parlour identified Thomas Partey as the likely player to be displaced by Merino’s arrival. He said: "You look at Thomas Partey. He might be on his way so they do need a little bit of strengthening in that midfield and give Declan Rice that little bit more license to go forward."

Parlour also commended Merino’s age, stating that 28 is the perfect time for a midfielder to reach their prime. He added: "I like the box to box players like Bryan Robson back in the day. It’s just using common sense as a midfielder, if someone runs past you you just fill in for them." The Arsenal legend also recognized the club’s existing relationship with Real Sociedad, which saw left-back Kieran Tierney join the team in 2019.

The Gunners’ signing of Merino could be a shrewd piece of business, especially considering his affordable price tag. With a year left on his contract, Real Sociedad would be unlikely to command a higher fee, making this a smart move for Arteta. As Parlour emphasized, a strong midfield can be the driving force behind a team’s success, and with Merino, Arsenal are set to strengthen this area of the pitch.