Merino eyes Prague repeat as Arsenal stress defending

Mikel Merino is looking forward to returning to Prague, where Arsenal won 3-0 last season on their way to the UEFA Champions League final.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring from the penalty spot in that league phase meeting, before Merino scored a second-half brace to secure the three points. Looking ahead to the return to the Czech Republic, Merino recalled a demanding opponent.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Merino said: “I remember a very tough game against an opponent that is very physical, that they want to run a lot. They press high and they are very vertical when they have the ball.”

“That season was a very good game for me personally with two goals. Hopefully this year I can score in this one. I'm not going to ask for two! Tomorrow is going to be a super tough game again. We've got massive respect for them as a team and as a club.”

Merino has yet to score for Arsenal this season, making nine appearances and playing 176 minutes. The club sit top of the Premier League table with 24 points from nine matches.

The question of pride in defending came up after Sunday's 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield, in which Arsenal allowed no shots on target. The club have conceded only five goals in the top flight all season and just twice in Europe.

“The team has to love it and I think this team is ready to love every aspect of the game, not only defending,” Merino added. “We're talking about defending because most of the team don't like defending. But when you have to do it, you have to be ready to get dirty and to go for a tackle or block a shot.”

Merino said the squad's standards are high across the board. “I think in this team we have that culture of being a 10 out of 10 in everything we do.”

He said the habit was formed early. “I think for me personally it comes naturally. I've always loved every aspect of the game and defending has always been a main aspect for me since I was a kid and my father was talking to me about football.”