Mikel Merino: ‘This summer was one of the best of my life’.
Mikel Merino appeared before the media after Luis de la Fuente's first training session at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas. The Arsenal and Spanish national team player shared his feelings after the first few hours of training: ‘There have been some big changes since the last call-up, we've been unlucky to lose Rodri and Carvajal, who are two total heavyweights in this group. We're going to miss them a lot, although it's true that the door is open to other players who are also ready and will do very well for the team’.
On the footballing calendar
The midfielder commented that ‘we all have more or less the same feelings’, adding ‘I love playing football, but when you do it so often, your body can't keep up with the rhythm that your head wants. We can't put the two serious injuries in close succession just down to our schedule though. We have to take care of ourselves and do our best’. At the end of his appearance he added that working out the perfect amount of playing time ‘has to be a joint effort, everyone has to feel that they benefit because there will be a better spectacle and there will be a higher level of performance for people to enjoy. I think it's everyone's responsibility’.
On life in London
‘I'm feeling very good, I feel strong and I've put my injury behind me. I'm happy to be here with my team-mates after winning the title. I'm very happy to start a new adventure at club level and to continue with this team.
On his goal against Germany in the European Championships
‘I've seen it a few more times, it pops up a lot on my mobile phone. No matter how many times I see it, I won't get tired of it and I'll always have it there’.
On life after the Euros and his goal
‘Life changes quickly, this summer was one of the best of my life, both personally and collectively. It's not normal for so many things to happen in such a short period of time. I won the European Championships, I changed clubs and countries, I'm very happy’. After these statements, Mikel also spoke about his move to England and how happy he is with his new team: ‘Arsenal have a great project that caught my attention. The passion that all the people at the club put into it is incredible. They have values very similar to mine. I hope I can help them win titles.
On the Denmark match
Merino assessed the two upcoming opponents in the Nations League: ‘If there is one thing that is clear to us all in the squad is that all the teams here have an incredible level, you only have to see how Denmark play. For the time being, we have only had the chance to sit down once together, but the coaching staff analyse the opponents very well and we will be analysing them and preparing for them in training during the week’. ‘Our mentality is to win and to compete for every ball’.
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