WhoScored has identified Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino as the ideal signing for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. The 25-year-old has impressed in La Liga with Real Sociedad, recording an average rating of 7.35 on WhoScored’s player ratings system this season. This is a significant improvement from his first campaign at the club, where he averaged 6.85. Merino’s rise to prominence can be attributed to his exceptional passing ability and vision, having averaged over 3.5 key passes per game in La Liga. His defensive contributions are also noteworthy, with an average of 2.5 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game. Arteta has a history of signing players from Real Sociedad, with Lucas Torreira making the move to Arsenal in 2018. Merino’s similarities to Torreira could make him an attractive option for the Gunners’ boss. With Arsenal currently struggling to find consistency in midfield, Merino’s abilities would be a valuable addition to the squad. His passing range and defensive acumen would allow Arteta to deploy him in a variety of roles, providing flexibility in his midfield. WhoScored believes that Merino is an ideal signing for Arsenal, and it will be interesting to see if Arteta makes a move for the midfielder in the transfer window.