Mikel Arteta is keen to sign a new midfielder before the summer transfer window shuts at the end of the month and is close to bringing in Spain international Merino from Real Sociedad.
The 28-year-old, who featured for Euro 2024 winners Spain over the summer, is believed to be closing in on a move to north London, with Arsenal set to pay around £30m for his services.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Petit believes Merino would adapt quickly to Premier League football but is unsure of his favoured position and says he could struggle with the ‘physicality’ of the English top-flight.
As a result, Petit has urged his former club to turn their attentions to two-time Premier League winner Kante, who is currently at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.
Kante is loved at Stamford Bridge after helping Chelsea win a host of trophies – including the Premier League and Champions League – and has been linked with a return to England this summer, although courtesy of West Ham rather than Arsenal.
‘I really liked Granit Xhaka, he went through a difficult time at Arsenal and fell out with the fans, but he came back like a warrior and he is the definition of a sportsman,’ Petit told Safest Casino Sites.
Mikel Merino helped Spain win Euro 2024
Mikel Merino helped Spain win Euro 2024
‘He proved everyone wrong. I think Mikel Merino is a good replacement for him, I watched him closely in the Euros and against PSG in the Champions League last season.
‘I can’t tell if he is a number eight or a holding midfielder, but that would be a good problem for Mikel Arteta to have. Merino could adapt to the Premier League like how Rodri has, but he could also struggle with the physicality.
‘If Arsenal want to bring a player who will be great competition for the midfielders, I don’t think it should be Merino or Frenkie de Jong because they’re primarily number eights.
‘I think Arsenal should bring back N’Golo Kante to the Premier League. I want him to play for Arsenal, he would be so important to the side in terms of rotation.
N'Golo Kante has been linked with a Premier League return
N’Golo Kante has been linked with a Premier League return
‘Kante’s spirit, reading of the game and breaking the opposition lines is still top quality. He can play as a holding midfielder and as a number eight.
‘When you look at Arsenal’s squad, they’re all humble, that fits Kante perfectly and Arteta would love him.’
If Merino completes a move to the Emirates Stadium he will become Arsenal’s third summer signing following Riccardo Calafiori, who joined from Bologna, and David Raya, who made his loan move from Brentford permanent.
Arsenal are bidding to become Premier League champions for the first time since 2004 following back-to-back second-place finishes and beat Wolves 2-0 in their opening game of the new season.
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