Mikel Merino urges new-looking Arsenal to “make a fire” when gunners set in “adaptive” style for summer signatures are set to Victor Gyoker

Speaking exclusively to TNT Sports ahead of the new campaign, Merino says the losses to Paris Saint-Germain, especially in Europe, were “big low” for the club, but thinks the addition would help set the right course to take the “next step.”

“That (loss in Paris) was definitely a tough moment,” Merino said. “Because the whole club and the entire team were very motivated.

“We lost that semi-finals was a huge low for us.

“The moment you haven’t reached the place you imagined and you lose, you need to set fire to your interior and remember moments of season when things don’t go well.

In the club’s new signature, Merino is indifferent to the prospect of too many changes in the team’s complexion, suggesting that the new face has quickly settled down to the club and its culture up until now.

“I think this is always the case whenever you sign a new player, how they can adapt. But honestly, this club, this family, is great to help new people come in and calm down,” Merino said.

“This club hasn’t signed anyone (just) and they know that they have to be good players, but also nice people at the same time.

“Obviously, we need time to adapt to the league and everything’s coming. But yeah, they’re looking very sharp so far.”

Gunners have signed to intensify the attack by Gyoker from Sports CP to address the dominant narrative that lack of firepower in this area has undermined the likelihood of success in recent years.

Merino himself was asked to substitute in advance in the previous period, but he felt that the Swedish hitman had no trouble settling in the role, suggesting that Arsenal’s style of play adaptation would get the best out of the players.

“Every player on a team needs to adapt to the principles the team already has. At the same time, as a player, you must adapt to your teammates, qualities and abilities,” he said.

“Obviously, Viktor is a very good striker using his own tools and he will be a massive player for us. We all have to adapt to his qualities.

“He also has to adapt to our values, our principles. I am sure that it will be a good relationship.”

It was just friendly, but Gyoker offered tips on what Arsenal could hope for in a crashed header, scoring in a 3-0 victory at the Athletic Club, and jokingly Merino worked hard to surpass his new teammates in the field.

Merino, like Kai Herberts and Gabriel, scored four of nine goals in all competitions with his head, offering a healthy competition with the new man.

“Undoubtedly, headers are now a big thing in the team,” he said. “But yeah, hopefully, it’s me (the person who scores the most), so I’m not going to lie because I like my header.

“But anyone who scores, this would be good for the team, so I’m happy they could score too.”

The people of North London also moved to bring in Zubimendi, which Merino is very well known.

Like Gyokeres, Zubimendi was impressed with the preseason and enjoyed what to expect from the fans.

“He’s a great player and he’s a good friend of mine, so obviously I want the best for him. He’s already proven himself here with how good he’s in,” Merino said.

“He’s really adapting well, he’s learning languages, but I think the most important language he already knows is ball, communication with his teammates.

“We’ve played together for seven years, and there are some things we can only get through the experience and play together. I think I know him really well.

Zubimendi, along with Merino and club captain Martin Odegaard, became the third player on his current team who previously played for Real Sociedad.

Manager Mikel Arteta also represented the club during his day of play.

“We have a lovely team here,” Merino said of the growing connection between the two clubs. “Our old clubs are feeding Arsenal now, hopefully they have a great season and can be proud of their old club.”

Despite notable improvements under Arteta in recent years, Arsenal is disappointed at the end of the season and the end of the time after missing out on its biggest award.

Discussing whether the club and team are suffering from additional pressure this season, Merino argued that players and managers are focused on improving both individually and collectively, and “raising the bar” by hunting silverware.

“(It’s) a big season for us,” he admitted. “Obviously, we have done great things over the past few seasons, and our aim is to win every game all the time, but our goal is to improve the ceiling, reach new heights and now we need to try and reach another level.

“We have a great team, we have a great club, we have a staff as well as the players, so we certainly build for something big.

“In this league, it’s really hard to win in this country because you can see how difficult and how good the other teams are. We’re just trying to improve and nurture the bar every day. Those are our main goals for the season.”

He added:

“We should see us train every day. I think the biggest pressure is to push and grow and continue to be fitters to get better, to understand how football works, is to put it on ourselves, not just to win but to get better.”