Mikel Merino now makes ‘massive’ Newcastle United claim after completing Arsenal transfer

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Former Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino is back in the Premier League after completing a move to Arsenal.

Six years after leaving Newcastle United, he has returned to England, and is joining Arsenal’s Premier League title charge.

Arsenal have been interested in Mikel Merino for a while, and have now completed a deal with Real Sociedad for the 28-year-old. He has cost the Gunners an initial £27.4million, and has signed a four-year deal at the Emirates Stadium.

Given how good he was for Newcastle and how much he has improved since then, signing Merino should be a brilliant bit of business for Arsenal, who have won their opening two Premier League games.

Now Merino will join what is already an exceptional midfield, playing alongside the likes of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.

Mikel Merino thinks Newcastle experience will help him at Arsenal

He should prove to be a great signing for Arsenal, and Merino believes his 12 months at St James’ Park should give him an advantage following his move to North London.

Merino has been speaking to Arsenal’s official YouTube channel after his transfer, and was asked if he thinks his time at Newcastle will help him adapt to life as an Arsenal player.

“I think it will be massive, because of how tough this league is,” he said.

“If you come as a new player, maybe you do not realise it until you try it.

“But right now I have an idea of how this league works, how tough every game is, on having a little idea of the stadiums, the teams and the atmospheres to expect. It’s always an advantage.”

When Mikel Merino will face his old club Newcastle United

Merino could make his Arsenal debut on Saturday, when Mikel Arteta’s side face Brighton and Hove Albion in the weekend’s early kick-off.

When it comes to returning to St James’ Park, Merino will have to wait until November.

As it stands, Newcastle United will welcome Arsenal to Tyneside on November 2nd. However, given the size of the fixture, it might be moved for television by the broadcasters.

That match could be feisty and should have a brilliant atmosphere, given what happened when the two sides met at St James’ Park last season. Newcastle won that game 1-0, with Anthony Gordon’s winner proving to be very controversial.

The return fixture is at the business end of the season. At the moment, Newcastle travel to Arsenal on the penultimate weekend of the 2024/25 Premier League season. That could be a huge game for the Gunners, given their title aspirations.