‘The best club in the world’ – Merino on his and Arsenal team-mate’s competition for minutes

Mikel Merino insists he and Martin Zubimendi are happy at Arsenal and remain fully committed to the club despite their lack of minutes this season.

The Spain internationals have both found regular starts difficult to come by amid fierce competition in Mikel Arteta’s midfield, but Merino says neither player is concerned by their current situation.

“Both Martin and I are fully aware of the situation at Arsenal,” he said.

“In my view, it’s the best club in the world, the best team in the world right now, with a very deep squad where even those outside the starting 11 are of starting calibre.

“It’s very difficult to get minutes. The manager has a lot of faith in us and we both understand what our current roles are.”

Zubimendi has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid, something the Spaniard has played down, however.

And Merino believes opportunities will come over the course of a long season and says both players are staying patient as they wait for their chance.

“It’s a long season and circumstances can easily change,” he added.

“We’re both staying calm and are fully committed to training as hard as we can, waiting for the manager to give us our chance and then, on the pitch, proving that we deserve to be there.”