Mikel Merino insists that Arsenal can win the Champions League – and then Ethan Nwaneri can rise for quantity.
Gunners midfielder Merino believes that their record-breaking seven-target romp at PSV Eindhoven has delivered a declaration of intent on the largest stage in Europe.
Nwaneri, after 17 years and 348 days, also became the second youngest player of Arsenal to start a knockout match from Champions League and played in the win. It has suddenly changed the mood in Doom's Arsenal camp and gloominess of a degradation season in the hope that they can win the biggest prize of all.
Merino said: “I think when you start such a competition, if you don't think you can't win it, it's better not to come and play.
“I think it should be the goal of every team in this tournament – and it is certain of us. We are here to win, to win every game, and if we do what we know we can do, I think we will almost win it.
“But we don't have to focus too much on it. We must be proud, but at the same time think about the next game. It comes quickly and we have to show the same mentality that we did at PSV. “
Arsenal is in line to play the winners of the Madrid Derby in the quarterfinals and will hope that Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka could be in conflict at the beginning of next month. Their absence, however, has enabled a new star to shine with Nwaneri who slides over the field and he has already scored eight goals, which is only one behind Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, who are the record of nine parts before they reached 18.
Merino was full of praise for Nwaneri who looks like a generation talent and is ready to leave his mark like a huge star. The midfielder of Spain played in the summer with Barcelona Whizkid Lamine Yamal in the euros and sees similarities in the couple.
Merino, 28, added: “I am getting older, there is no doubt about that! I used to be one of the youngest on the field and now, when I check the opponents, I notice that everyone is younger than me. It is sometimes a bit depressing!
“But football is evolving, nowadays players come to the first team that is even more ready to play at the highest level. They have better tools for learning and it is great to have these young children.
“My role is now more of a teacher. I am not a teacher, but I can show a part of my experience to them and the good thing about them is that they also want to learn.
“Ethan is so good. He is an incredible player. I've been saying it for a long time. Every time I come here, you ask me about him. But I will not get tired to talk about him because he deserves it. It is not just about his age and how good he is on the field, but it is also about his will, the intensity he places on every training day, the way he encounters every match with the maturity he has.
“He also has the will to learn. He is not 17 years old and plays in the Premier League and Champions League, thinking that he has already learned everything. He is always willing to listen to the other boys, listen to the boss, and that is honor.
“It's great, it's fresh blood. For us it is incredible for us to have these young children with this energy, with this fresh mentality. It is clear that it is incredible to fans to see players from the Academy, born and raised here, to make these great versions for the first team. I
“It is reassuring that this team now has a good team, but will have an even better or the same quality in the future.”
Comments