Arsenal has been near their first Champions League final since 2006, but was surpassed in the semi-final by final winners Paris Saint-Germain
Mikel Merino admitted that it hurt to see how Paris Saint -Germain won the Champions League – because he had his word about how Arsenal could improve the following season. The Gunners star played every minute of their two-legged semi-final against the final champions, who were defeated with 3-1 before they hit Inter Milan 5-0 in the final.
It left the Noord -Londers the opportunity to compete for the first time since 2006 in the European Cup final and also ended their chances of completing the season with silverware.
It was a fifth consecutive season without a trophy for Arsenal when Merino discussed that Merino had the chance to play in the final, and admitted that he had hurt the game between PSG and Inter by failing his side.
Speaking with Mundo Deportivo, he said: “Yes (sigh), recently it hurt me to see the final after I felt so close”, when he was asked if he still feels the fear of the semi-final defeat of Arsenal.
“I think Arsenal, for the two games they played in the semi -final, deserve to be there. Ultimately it is about details, individual sparkle, and in this case Donnarumma saved two chances and the first fifteen minutes in Paris that could have given us the draw, but that is nowadays;
Traditionally, a midfielder who can sometimes move forward, Merino was converted into a striker in the middle season by Mikel Arteta after a injury crisis had decimated their forward options.
It was a role that the Spain International performed extraordinarily well, because he ended the season with nine goals in all competitions, with only Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard who scored more than he.
Although this season was not his first company in English football – he also played 25 games for Newcastle United back in the 2017/18 campaign – Merino said that the new experience in London allowed him to get acquainted with what he should improve.
“I'm more mature,” he said. “The experiences, the change of environment and the coming out of your comfort zone makes you more difficult, it makes you grow. Continue with difficult times, realizing what you have and what you don't have, see what you need to improve.
“This year has been different; I learned a lot from a group with different nationalities, from a different culture, making me more mature.”
With Arsenal expects to sign a striker this summer, Merino implied that the Gunners would continue to get the fruits of his goals of labor because of the work he undertakes to promote his influence for the goal.
“I have always seen myself in the danger zone, I have always been a great finisher and I have always been close to the opponent's box,” he added. “I did not operate it in terms of numbers, scoring goals, as much as I could, but I felt at ease near the box.
“I have physical strength, and when it comes to finishing, it causes problems for the center backs and it is dangerous, but it is true that I have never seen myself as a center-forward. This year I have had the opportunity to grow, and I will develop my game, which will be very good for me.”