Miguel Merino admits that he had a secret crush on Arsenal when he was a kid. He even cosplayed as a Gunners player and took a photo. Who would have thought that his dream would finally come true at the age of 30.
Two decades ago, the Gunners create the legendary 2003-04 Premier League title, an unbeaten season that was talk about all over the world. This even led to a young boy from the Basque region going to get the team’s jersey to take a commemorative photo the following year.
The clock ticked on for a while, and Merino finally no longer had to sneak around in his Gunners uniform, and could walk onto the pitch in a suit, ready to make his debut against Brighton and secure his place at the top of the table this weekend.
“I wouldn’t join a club that wasn’t connect to my own desires,” he told Arsenal TV.
“I want to grow up, I want to be know as a winner, I want to fulfill my dreams and I think this club has the same idea – that’s something I value very much. I’m value what they do every day.”
“I’ve a chance to speak to the head coach, Mikel Arteta, and he talked about how they work, and I like that style as well. So it’s a perfect fit. Now, training is the part I like, and hopefully everything will go well.”
“What inspires me the most is what they are still doing. Arsenal have a hunger, they never give up and I want to come here and help the team achieve their goals.”
“Honestly, we already have a great team here, a great force, we got to see a well-equipped headquarters, surrounded by top-notch staff.”
“So I think it’s the perfect combination, and hopefully ยูฟ่าเบท this year we can do great things together.”
The 28- year-old has joined north London from Real Sociedad on a four- year deal , with the option to extend for a further year, for an initial fee of £ 27.4m plus £ 4.2m in bonuses.