Mikel Merino has lavished praise on his 'unbelievable' teammate Eberechi Eze, describing the summer signing as a 'complete' player following a dream debut in the North London derby.
The Dream Debut: Eze's Derby Delight
Boyhood Arsenal fan Eberechi Eze, 27, lived out his ultimate fantasy, scoring a stunning hat-trick in his first ever match against arch-rivals Tottenham. The brilliant performance came after his mega £67.5 million summer transfer to the Emirates, a move designed to deliver the Premier League title.
Spain midfielder Merino watched on as Eze carved his name into Arsenal folklore, hailing him as a genuine 'difference maker' in the Gunners' pursuit of glory. The victory helped push Mikel Arteta's side six points clear at the top of the table, signalling a serious title intent.
More Than Goals: The Secret to Seamless Integration
While Eze's hat-trick captured the headlines, Merino was keen to highlight the player's down-to-earth attitude and team-first mentality as the real reasons behind his rapid success. He insisted that all of Arsenal's summer signings, including Viktor Gyokeres, Piero Hincapie, and Martin Zubimendi, have bought into the squad's collective spirit.
'We have signed so many players who can be a difference,' Merino said. 'But the main thing is the team. The good thing in this team is that everyone thinks about the team first, which is the main objective.'
He described Eze as incredibly grounded, a player who is already fully integrated into the squad. 'You can see the calmness in Eberechi’s voice and the way he presents himself,' Merino revealed, noting their morning chats in the sauna at the training ground. 'He is just a nice guy.'
A Complete Player Driving Title Ambitions
Merino provided a detailed breakdown of what makes the Englishman such a special talent, emphasising his versatility and technical prowess. 'I think he is very complete. He can dribble, he can pass the ball,' the Spaniard explained.
He particularly praised Eze's ability to 'associate' with teammates, a highly-valued trait in Spanish football. 'He is also mentality-driven to passing the ball and sharing the game but at the same time he can dribble and is very strong. He can shoot and is really complete. An amazing signing.'
Merino also pointed to the intense competition within the squad as a vital component of their title challenge. 'Competition is high. A lot of quality in the squad,' he said. 'At every training session, we are pushing each other and everyone is getting the benefit.' This environment, fostered by the 'gaffer' Mikel Arteta, is ensuring that the entire squad remains at its peak as Arsenal chase the Premier League crown.
