‘Such a clever player’ – Former Arsenal man Lauren backs ‘fantastic’ Merino to shine under Arteta | OneFootball

Former Arsenal defender Lauren says latest signing Mikel Merino will add an “extra dimension” to the Gunners team.

Merino has completed a £32m switch to north London from Real Sociedad, and Lauren, who spent seven years at Arsenal between 2000 and 2007, believes Merino gives boss Mikel Arteta options he did not have last season.

“I believe, first of all, he is a great player,” he told white label sportsbook solution.

“I’ve been watching him a lot and I believe that it is a very good addition because it’s not only a player that will be in front of the backline and passing and moving through the lines. It’s a player that can hold, go up and down and get to the position to score as well.

“We saw in the Euros with Spain, we saw it many times last season in La Liga. Merino, when he first started, he was like a holding midfielder, but now he is a more complete player who can get the ball in those positions, connecting with the players that played in front, the strikers and the midfielders.

“It’s a fantastic signing. A good additional for Arsenal, a great asset. He is technically excellent; his vision is superb and he can give Arsenal an extra dimension.

“Merino is such a clever player, he can adapt, but most importantly, he is such a good player with the ball.”

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