Mikel Arteta reveals why he is really pleased with Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino made his long-awaited Arsenal debut in their Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, returning from injury to feature in Mikel Arteta's squad.

The summer arrival was forced to spend the opening weeks of the Gunners' 2024/25 campaign chained to the sidelines after fracturing his shoulder during his first training session.

His injury came at a troubling time for Arsenal, with captain Martin Odegaard out of action after picking up an injury on international duty and midfielder Declan Rice forced to miss an important clash with Tottenham Hotspur after receiving a controversial red card.

But, Merino was finally able to make his Arsenal debut on Wednesday, coming on in the second-half of their 2-0 win to replace Thomas Partey.

"I think he's done really well," Arteta told reporters after the win.

"Really good, because he joined us and first session he got injured. He had only one session with us, he was ready, he was really willing to be part of this today and obviously with the injuries and changes we had to make, we believe that he was the player that could help us in that phase."

Merino played just under half an hour to help Arsenal see out the game, tucking in alongside Rice, and Arteta was pleased with how his side had performed.

"I think they wanted to prove a point tonight against a top team at home, be ourselves and be very dominant as well," he continued. "It's another step, we have to continue to do that.

"It creates special European nights against big clubs. That belief is something that lifts the energy and the spirit of everybody. First of all it's about believing you can face those incredible teams and have a really good chance to beat them, and you are good enough to beat them.

"I think it's going to be really helpful."

Arsenal return to action on Saturday, hosting newly-promoted Southampton, who are without a win in their first six Premier League outings.

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