Mikel Merino has boldly claimed Arsenal can win the quadruple this season, despite already stumbling domestically this term. The Gunners have won almost all of their games, losing just once against Brighton in the Premier League.
However, the quadruple is no small feat, given that no other English side has achieved this in history. But the Spain international is steadfast in his belief that it could happen.
Merino makes ambitions clear
Discussing the team's Champions League winning run, Merino told Sky Sports: "It's an unbelievable run. We know we're making history in the competition. At the same time we know how difficult it is to win games. We keep a lot of value and credit in the team for what we're doing.
"The goal is to win the Champions League, the Premier League, to win everything. That's what the manager wants. That's what the fans want. That's what we as players want as well."
When asked if he believes the Gunners can become the first to secure the quadruple, Merino exclaimed: "Absolutely. This is the mentality. This is the aim. We were so, so close last season and that proved to us we are ready for it. Now it's about details, being present and ready in the right moments. And we believe that."
Viktor Gyokeres savaged
Viktor Gyokeres was slammed by French media for his mediocre performance against Lille on Tuesday. The Sweden international had been impressive during the international break, scoring in all four Nations League matches for his country.
However, he struggled for Arsenal in the Champions League, being subbed off in the 65th minute after earning a start over Kai Havertz. L'Equipe handed him a 2/10 rating after he "only touched the ball 12 times" and didn't manage one shot on target.
Foot Mercato gave him a slightly better rating of 4/10 but claimed the striker "struggled to make an impact." They stated he lost duels against the opposition's defence and was "far from convincing" on the ball.
Arsenal's winning run continues
Mikel Arteta will hope his Arsenal side can continue their winning run against Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon. The Gunners returned from the international break in fine form and have claimed two wins from two so far.
It took until the second half for Arteta's squad to get going in the Champions League as they went into halftime drawing with Lille. However, strikes from Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka secured the three points and made it nine wins out of 10 so far this season.
After making it 14 wins in a row in the group stages of Europe's premier club competition, the Arsenal boss praised his side's consistency as he said: "It shows the level of consistency that we have. We carry on playing the way we do, performing that way in the competition. I'm sure we can do that more, but we have to earn it because it's big."
The second goal for Arsenal came just minutes after Gyokeres came off, and Havertz was on hand to set up the third and final strike in the 71st.
