Mikel Merino could hold the Arsenal key against Paris Saint-Germain, whether to play as an attacker or in a midfielder

They would be a little trusted at the beginning of this season, when there were questions about signing wisdom, but Mikel Merino is facing Paris Saint-Germain this week as one of the most important players in Arsenal’s hopes that he will reach the Champions League final.

The 28-year-old has excelled since Mikel Arththa set him in front, securing six goals and four assists in 13 games, and the best shown in the last eight victories over Real Madrid, when he scored his first leg and set both goals in the second. The news of his return to training this week is coming as a major incentive.

Declan rice and Bukayo Saka He took most of the praise on Bernabeu, but Merino was equally good, his contribution rewarded his manager’s faith and invited to talk to some of those who worked with him at the Boyhood Club Osasun.

“He never hides and ready to deal with difficult situations,” said Alfredo Sanchez, a former coach, said Sky Sports in August. “He is a boy who does not feel pressure and has a personality to step up in important games,” added Miguel Fleno, a former teammate.

Merin’s appetite for a major occasion will be needed on Tuesday against Paris Saint-Germain, even if this time his task comes with a different series of tactical instructions.

The Suspension of Thomas Party means that they could require him in the middle, not in front, where Leandro Trossard, a four -goal scorer in the last four Premier League games, will probably start.

Fortunately for Arsenal, Merino has been excellently stood out in both roles lately, even when he nominally plays as a striker. His thermal tickets for his last 10 starts show his positioning varies from game to game, reflecting a versatile offer that makes him such a useful property.

In the first leg against Real Madrid, when Arsenal dominated, most of Merin’s activities arrived in the last third and opposition frame. In the second, when they spent long spells in defense, he descended into a low block, mostly acting in his half, but still abusively contributed in the form of his two assists.

His tactical intelligence helped to persuade Arteta about his potential to progress as an improvised striker when Kai Havertz suffered an injury. “If anyone can adapt to another position, that’s him,” he said in February. To quote his old Flano teammate, “he also has humility to understand what each game requires.”

All this adds to the rare level of adaptability and versatility that Merino makes a weapon in a multitude of different scenarios, from game to game, but also inside the games.

His representations have shown his ability to act as a focal point and penalty sentence, but he may be equally dangerous, late run from the middle of the field.

His goal in a 3-0 victory over Real Madrid combined both elements. Before passing the passage of Myles Lewis-Skelly outside Thibaut Courtois from directly inside the box, Merino could be seen combined with Partyy in the central circle, then turns and lets go before running.

The unpredictability of Merin’s movement caused problems in the real Madrid, and that could be a key even different role on Tuesday, especially since Paris Saint-Germain had already looked at Arsenal this season, they faced them in the league phase, when they beat 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in October.

The side of Luis Enrique is now stronger, and Ousman’s Dembele was moving in the middle of her three and January signed Khvich Quadratskhelia installed on the right. But the midfielder is likely to be similar to the one then used and there can help Merino there.

In Vitinhi, Paris Saint-Germain has an extraordinary technician in the role of no 6, but Arsenal won the physical battle at that last meeting, and the presence of Merin, which appeared only as a replacement that evening, would improve the already significant advantage.

The Spanish International has been signed partly for its skill, which has shone since his arrival in England. Merino wins more duels and more antennas than any other Arsenal player.

Renewing midfielder required in Patey’s absence will probably see Ricea moved from 8 to no 6, which gave him less opportunities to make marauding races that became the characteristic of Arsenal’s game. But Merino, though not so fast, brings even more energy to the role.

The Premier League monitoring information shows that it covers more soils than any other Arsenal player at 12.17 km for 90 minutes. It’s about a mile more than Rice, which makes it among teammates and the top 10 among all the Premier League players.

His physicality could be invaluable in the opposition frame, as well as in the battle for the environment. Set-Komada, a huge power area for Arsenal, is one of the weakness for Paris Saint-Germain, whose total 15 goals have been accepted from the dead ball situations 12. The highest in the main leagues in Europe.

Merino could be the best hopes of Arsenal for exploitation. His total of 2,95 expected goals from Set-Komada are the third highest in the Premier League, behind only those injured teammates Arsenal Gabriel Magalhaes and attacker Aston villa Ollie Watkins.

This is an increasingly impressive figure, given that he has played less than half of Arsenal’s minutes this season. With 0.19 expected goals of 90 minutes each, actually located on top in the division.

It is just another area where Merino could be crucial against Paris Saint-Germain, as he was against Real Madrid. The game on Tuesday is another opportunity to show its new importance while Arsenal continues its offer for the success of the Champions League.