Alan Shearer Reveals Why Merino’s Failed At Newcastle

Arsenal legend Alan Shearer defends new signing Mikel Merino over Newcastle flop.

Shearer has cautioned Arsenal fans against judging Mikel Merino based on his unsuccessful stint at Newcastle earlier in his career.

The Gunners recently announced the signing of the Spanish midfielder from Real Sociedad.

Merino’s 17 Premier League appearances for Newcastle in the 2017/18 season were underwhelming, but Shearer believes his impressive form at Real Sociedad,

where he spent six years and became a La Liga standout, is a more accurate reflection of his abilities.

Shearer, confident in Merino’s potential, expects the Euro 2024 winner to make a significant impact at Arsenal, urging fans to look beyond his past struggles at Newcastle.

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Shearer said:

‘Mikel Merino has joined Arsenal and although he didn’t set the place alight at Newcastle, there was never anything wrong with his attitude or anything else.

‘It was just ‘right club, wrong time’ and we never saw the best of him, so it was best he moved on.

‘He’s been brilliant for Real Sociedad and of course for Spain too, so you can see the attraction that Arsenal see in him, and he’ll be a good addition to their squad.

‘He will bolster their midfield in terms of getting from box-to-box and he’ll be a good signing for them.’

Arsenal have started the season impressively winning their first two games and it remains to be seen whether or not Merino will make his debut against Brighton on Saturday but he is raring to go if called upon.

He said:

‘I want to fight for every ball and this is something that I learnt when I was really young. Maybe you can win it, or you won’t.

‘I’m not promising I will win every duel, but what I can promise is that I will fight for every ball with 100 per cent.

‘It’s always tough to talk about myself in those kinds of terms, but I think I’m a hard worker, I want to call myself a good teammate.

Arsenal will welcome Brighton to the Emirates Stadium for an early kick-off this weekend.