After another setback in Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title, midfielder Mikel Merino remains steadfastly optimistic about the Gunners’ season.
Following a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal are now nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool with only 11 games played. No team has overcome such a deficit to claim the title in Premier League history, but Merino is adamant that his teammates must keep their spirits high and stay focused on their goals.
Reflecting on the team’s resilience, Merino praised Arsenal’s mentality despite dropping points. “The character that these guys are showing is just unbelievable,” Merino remarked. “We conceded away from home against a top side, but we were the ones dictating the tempo, creating chances, and fighting to get back into the game. It’s a big sign of what this team is about.”
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Merino emphasized the need to focus on positive progress rather than dwell on potential setbacks. “We don’t have to look at the negatives. We have to look at ourselves, at how we want to perform, and not let ourselves worry about what might happen if things go wrong,” he explained. “That kind of thinking only adds unnecessary pressure. We know we have to win every game and work for that, but our focus has to stay on the present, on improving ourselves every match.”
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Arsenal’s ambitions have been boosted by the return of captain Martin Ødegaard, whose recent absence due to an ankle injury had impacted the team. Ødegaard made a strong comeback with a man-of-the-match performance against Chelsea, a critical lift for Arsenal as they strive to close the gap at the top of the table. “Having Martin back is huge for us,” Merino acknowledged. “He’s the captain, one of our key players, and having him in the lineup makes us a stronger team. Even though he might need some time to get back to peak form, he’s already one of the best in the Premier League.”
Merino is no stranger to the struggles of injury himself, having recently dealt with a shoulder problem. Now fully recovered, he expressed hope that Arsenal’s squad can maintain fitness and availability in the coming weeks. “It’s tough missing players like Martin,” Merino said. “But it’s not just about one person—we need everyone healthy and performing at 100%. This is a squad effort, and we need everyone contributing to get where we want to be.”
Merino’s positive outlook underscores Arsenal’s collective belief in their potential. Despite the daunting gap between them and the top of the table, the Gunners are motivated to push forward, seeing each game as an opportunity to develop and close in on their objectives.