Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta worked his magic to come up with a 3-0 Champions League victory on Real Madrid and the father of one shooter is a fan of his tactical change
Mikel Arteta is overloaded with praise for his tactical ability after leading Arsenal to a beautiful 3-0 win over Real Madrid. Among the admirers is the father of Mikel Merino, who praised Arteta for “bringing forward” of the best in his son during the Champions League collision.
Merino, 28, was signed last summer by the Gunners from Real Sociedad and soon became an important player in the midfield of Arteta after repairing a shoulder injury. However, he has turned into a more central forward role since Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus saw their seasons ended prematurely.
The Spaniard has occasionally fulfilled the same role play for his country and recent versions have validated the manager's decision to place his confidence in the player. And his father, Angel Miguel Merino, praised the target core of his son.
“He had it in him, it was a matter of bringing it out and placing him in that position,” Merino Sr told El Larguero (via Football.London). “It is not where he feels most comfortable because he touches the ball more often, but when he has to end, he has always been a player who can score. He is a good finisher and he proves it.”
The jewel of Arsenal demonstrated this with his powerful second half strike against Los Blancos. A late adjustment was needed when he returned to receive Myles Lewis-Skelly's Pass over the box, generate sufficient power in one way or another to drive low along Thibaut Courtois.
The goal brought Merino's count to eight in his first campaign with Arsenal. Six of these have come since his shift in the mid -February.
But former Osasuna midfielder Angel has warned Arsenal not to walk for himself, despite their triumph on first legs. The 58-year-old has his own experience in La Liga who made his top flight debut at the Bernabeu, knowing that the draw is all too good.
Merino SR reflected on the joy of watching his son Mikel in such a crucial match, Merino Sr said: “I felt the same joy with the third goal as in the previous two, probably a bit more because Mikel scored, but with the mood that the second leg still had to come and we should not be taken away.
“Real Madrid has shown countless occasions that it can turn the draw. The result gives you room to maneuver, but we know that competitions and knockout rounds in the Bernekeeu cannot be considered won.”
Arsenal fans will have reminded their only other competitive game in the Bernabeu, which ended in a 1-0 win in February 2006 when Thierry Henry delivered the winner. That result helped them to progress from the round of 16 and eventually reach the final, where they were defeated by Barcelona.
The Gunners now hope to replicate success against Real Madrid, aimed at using this match as a step to the semi -final, where they would be confronted with PSG or Aston Villa. And it seems inevitable that Merino will play an integral part in the Fortuinen of Arsenal in the second stage on Wednesday.
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