New signing Mikel Merino speaks out on Arsenal’s captain Martin Odegaard

New Arsenal signing Mikel Merino has expressed his excitement about reuniting with captain Martin Ødegaard, sharing fond memories of their time together in Spain.

Merino, who joined the Gunners from Real Sociedad this week, revealed that he and Ødegaard exchanged messages after the transfer was confirmed. “Martin told me he was really happy for me to take this next step in my life,” Merino shared.

The midfielder spoke fondly of their previous partnership, highlighting their strong connection on the pitch: “It was amazing sharing the pitch with him back in the day. I have a lot of good memories of our connection and hopefully we can have an even better connection here.”

Merino recalled a specific moment of their collaboration: “I remember a pretty good play we made against Osasuna away, where we had a one-two and it finished in a goal for us. But just in general, in every training, in every game I think we had a good connection.”

He further praised Ødegaard’s impact on his own game: “He’s a player who moves extremely well behind the back of the midfielders, and for us who play in a similar position, he made the job really easy for me.”

Merino’s enthusiasm for working alongside Ødegaard suggests a positive start to his Arsenal career. The pair’s previous chemistry could be a valuable asset for the Gunners, adding a new dimension to their midfield play. With both players known for their technical ability and tactical intelligence, their partnership could be crucial in Arsenal’s pursuit of success this season.