Mikel Merino hailed Mikel Arteta as 'one of the best coaches' in the world as he opened up on his time at Arsenal.
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Merino hailed Arteta as 'one of the best coaches'Says Spanish coach took the best from GuardiolaArsenal face Madrid in UCL quarter-finalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Merino, who moved back to the Premier League last summer to join the Gunners, has proved to be a very fruitful signing for the club as amid their injury crisis, the Spaniard has filled in as a makeshift number nine in Arteta's team. Since the change in his position, the 28-year-old has scored four goals in seven Premier League outings and has played a key role in keeping his club alive in the title race.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The Spain international spoke highly of manager Arteta as he claimed that the Arsenal boss has picked up the best from his former mentor Pep Guardiola, having worked as his assistant at Manchester City. Merino also hailed Arteta as 'one of the best coaches' in the world at the moment, while speaking on his experience of playing for the north London side.
WHAT MIKEL MERINO SAID
Speaking to reporters, Merino said: "It's been a very nice year. I'm seeing things I've never worked on before in my career, and it's also helping me learn about football and grow. Arteta is a very complete coach. He's taken the best from Guardiola, and you can see that period he had with him every day.
"The idea is to be a dominant team, one that carries the weight of the game and doesn't let the opponent have the upper hand. To subdue them and greatly limit their attacks. Then I think he also has his touches, his methodology, and that's what the best do: take the best from each position. And I think he's, if not the best, undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the world."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
Arsenal will be back in action in the Champions League next week as they host Real Madrid in the first leg of their quarter-final fixture on April 8.
