Mikel Arteta tells Arsenal fans what to expect from new signing

Mikel Arteta is convinced that summer addition Mikel Merino will provide an extra dimension to his team as the Spain international nears full health.

The Gunners beat Barcelona to sign the 28-year-old midfielder during the summer window, but his start in north London was hampered right away.

Merino was injured in his first training session when Gabriel Magalhaes crashed on top of him and fractured his teammate’s shoulder, forcing him to bide his time and wait to make an effect.

The former Newcastle player is closing in on a return to full fitness and although he won’t be ready for tomorrow’s game against Leicester, Arteta hinted it won’t be long until fans get a glimpse of why he was earmarked as a top target.

‘Tomorrow is too soon, the next week we will see,’ said the Arsenal manager.

‘He had partial training today, he’s been working so hard and is looking good. It is just about the healing of that bone and how mature that is to expose him to contact.

‘We’re trying to keep him in the cage because he’s been pushing everybody, the physios, doctors, everybody! And he’s ready to go, he really wants it.

‘I think we are comfortable now to start exposing him to contact and he looked really good in training.

‘He’s going to bring firstly an unbelievable football brain. He’s so intelligent, the way he decides, occupies spaces and makes positions, it’s very rare to see that.

‘Then a really talented player in every phase – defending, attacking, he can deliver and do things that complement really well with the quality we have in midfield.

‘Physicality for sure, and then he’s a big threat. The moment that he’s in the opponent’s box, you’ll see that he’s a big, big threat.’

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