Arsenal head into a crucial period of the season competing on multiple fronts, but Gunners midfielder Mikel Merino says the team is up for the challenge.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino is aiming for glory (Image: (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images))
Mikel Merino insists Arsenal are ready for a run of games as they are “hungry” to win trophies this season. Arsenal will become the first top team to play four consecutive away games in four different competitions over the course of 10 days.
They win at Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Sunday, face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday, are in the title race at Nottingham Forest on Saturday and face Inter Milan in the Champions League next Tuesday.
It will be a tough battle that will test the strength and determination of Mikel Arteta’s side, but Merino insists they are all determined to win silver this season.
Gunners manager Arteta has only won one FA Cup since taking over in 2019, but Arsenal are on course to win four titles this season. That’s why Merino says Arsenal will take every game seriously and focus on winning no matter the competition.
Gunners midfielder Merino said: “The hunger is there. It’s been there for a long time. Sometimes it’s a matter of details, circumstances, minutes, moments, and that doesn’t allow you to win.”
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“But the hunger is always there and you can see it in every training session. And it will be there until the end of the season.”
“The FA Cup and Wembley are a dream. There’s still a long way to go. Right now we’re focused on the next game that’s coming up. But obviously we have to keep the big goals in mind. First of all, of course, we have to focus on the next game.”
“Every game is important. For us, it doesn’t matter whether it’s the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup or a friendly. It’s not just the competition we’re playing in, we’re just playing for the badge, we’re just playing for our reputation.”
“And every game we put on this shirt, we have to give our best. We have to win, we have to perform well. So the important thing is to show that we are Arsenal, that we are ready to fight and the rest will take care of itself.”
Arsenal defeat Portsmouth to qualify for the FA Cup (Image: )
“The ultimate goal is to win every game. We have to focus on doing our best. That’s what’s important to us. And we know that if we do our best, we’ll get closer to winning every game.”
“But obviously, in the end, if we don’t win, the rest doesn’t seem to matter. But we’re focused on ourselves, doing our best and showing the best that we have.”
Merino also pointed out that the return of a fitter Kai Havertz will be an “amazing” boost, while the depth of the squad gives them hope of continuing to win on four fronts despite the demands.
Merino added: “Great, great. We’re all looking forward to Kai coming back from his big injury. Having him there for every practice session is really good for everyone, both for the atmosphere on the training ground and the support he gives us on the training pitch.”
Merino insists Arsenal are ready for a grueling two-week period (Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
“And now having him on the pitch is another asset, another tool for the manager. We are really happy for him.
“You see the depth of the team. Of course, when you make so many changes, it’s sometimes difficult because we’re not used to playing each other. And those connections are very, very important.”
“But in Portsmouth we saw a quality team, a team full of attitude and hard work, which is good. Everyone is involved and everyone will be important at the end of the season.”
“And we all have to be ready at all times because the games are intense and fast and you never know when it’s your turn.”
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