Arsenal and Mikel Arteta will look to return to winning ways against Shakhtar Donetsk this evening (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta has promised Arsenal fans that summer signing Mikel Merino is destined to ‘deliver big things’ for his new team.
The Gunners fought off competition from the likes of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona during the summer as they secured the services of the former Real Sociedad midfielder.
Merino’s Arsenal career got off to the worst possible start, however, when he injured his shoulder during his first training session following a collision with Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Spain international belatedly made his debut earlier this month and showed a few promising glimpses of his potential during cameo appearances against Paris Saint-Germain and Southampton.
A raft of injuries saw Merino finally make his full debut on Saturday but the 28-year-old struggled to make an impact in a shock 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth.
Merino is certain to feature again this evening as Arsenal aim to bounce back in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk and Arteta is confident one of his headline summer signings will prove a shrewd acquisition.
‘A player with an unbelievable football brain with a lot of leadership skills that has the right experience,’ said Arteta when asked what fans could expect to see once Merino is up to full speed.
Source:: Metro
