Report: Arsenal insider says Mikel Arteta is pushing 'very strongly' to sign £40m midfielder

Having now secured a deal for Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal are evidently ready to press on their plans to add another midfielder and forward.

Eddie Nketiah is nearing an Arsenal exit and Emile Smith Rowe has already agreed a move to Fulham – significant departures.

If Nketiah follows Smith Rowe out the door the Gunners will have not only raised funds, but also cleared space in their ranks for a new arrival.

Edu and his team seem determined to streamline Mikel Arteta’s squad, replacing those who seldom play minutes with high-calibre alternatives.

And to that end, perhaps Smith Rowe, who predominantly thrived as a number 10 for Arsenal, can be replaced by someone better suited to the left central midfield role.

Although Declan Rice has enjoyed playing in a more advanced position than first intended, Granit Xhaka has never truly been replaced – a player who was just coming into his prime.

That being said, Arteta seems to have now identified the perfect candidate, Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino.

Mikel Arteta wants Mikel Merino at Arsenal for two key reasons

Arsenal’s interest in Merino is well reported by this point, a player who is said to be keen on a switch to the Emirates.

And now Team News and Ticks, who are very much in-the-know when it comes to Arsenal news, have reported exactly why Arteta is so determined to sign Merino.

Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgar...

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

First and foremost, the information details that Arsenal are now talking to Sociedad to get the best deal possible and benefit from a strong relationship with the Spanish side.

The transfer is now viewed as a “easy deal to do” by the club who seem very confident that Merino will be an Arsenal player.

Interestingly, the report also details that Arteta is pushing strongly for the deal because of his personal admiration for the Spaniard’s personality, as well as his playing ability.

Arteta loves Merino’s attitude and his leadership skills – something which will benefit this young Arsenal team.

Of course, in that sense, Merino will be akin to a Leandro Trossard or Jorginho type signing, someone who can contribute immediately.

Whereas Riccardo Calafiori may take a little bit of time to adjust, Merino could be fast-tracked into minutes.