Arsenal‘s Bargain Deal: Mikel Merino‘s £13m Transfer & Bukayo Saka‘s Rise

When Mikel Merino made his £13million move to Real Sociedad in 2018, many Arsenal fans were left scratching their heads. The Spaniard had only been at the Gunners for a year, but his performances had left a lasting impression. He was a bargain, and the Gunners had let him slip through their fingers.

The Rise of Mikel Merino

Merino was signed by Arsene Wenger in 2017, but it was Unai Emery who gave him his Premier League debut in the 2018/19 season. The Spaniard made an instant impact, scoring in his first two appearances for the Gunners. His performances were impressive, and he quickly became a fan favourite.

However, despite his promising start, Merino’s time at Arsenal was cut short. He was sold to Real Sociedad in the summer of 2018, leaving many Gunners fans feeling disappointed and confused. The £13million fee was seen as a bargain, and many believed that the Gunners had let a talented player slip through their fingers.

The Rise of Bukayo Saka

Fast forward to the present day, and it’s clear that Arsenal made the right decision in selling Merino. The Gunners have since brought through a number of talented young players, including Bukayo Saka. The 19-year-old winger has been a revelation for the Gunners, and his performances have left fans and pundits alike purring.

Saka’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of meteoric. He made his Premier League debut in 2019, and has since become a regular in Mikel Arteta‘s starting lineup. His performances have been impressive, and he has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League‘s most exciting young players.

Saka’s success has been a testament to Arsenal‘s youth development system, and the Gunners’ decision to invest in young players. The Spaniard’s faith in youth has paid dividends, and Saka is just one of a number of talented young players who have broken into the first team.

Comparing Merino and Saka

Comparing Merino and Saka is difficult, given that they play in different positions. However, it’s clear that both players have the potential to become world-class footballers. Merino has established himself as one of La Liga‘s top midfielders, while Saka is quickly becoming one of the Premier League‘s most feared wingers.

Both players have the ability to control the game and create chances for their teammates. They are both comfortable on the ball, and have the vision and creativity to unlock opposition defences. However, Saka’s pace and directness set him apart from Merino, who is more of a deep-lying playmaker.

Despite their differences, both players have the potential to become world-class footballers. Merino has already established himself as one of La Liga‘s top midfielders, while Saka is quickly becoming one of the Premier League‘s most feared wingers.

Conclusion

Arsenal‘s decision to sell Mikel Merino may have raised eyebrows at the time, but it’s clear that the Gunners made the right decision. The Spaniard’s £13million transfer fee was seen as a bargain, but the Gunners have since brought through a number of talented young players, including Bukayo Saka.

Saka’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of meteoric, and his performances have left fans and pundits alike purring. The 19-year-old winger has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League‘s most exciting young players, and his success is a testament to Arsenal‘s youth development system.

The Gunners’ faith in youth has paid dividends, and Saka is just one of a number of talented young players who have broken into the first team. While Merino has established himself as one of La Liga‘s top midfielders, it’s clear that the Gunners made the right decision in selling the Spaniard and investing in youth.