Riccardo Calafiori was thoroughly impressed by the £42 million Arsenal star’s performance, especially his six recoveries during the game against Forest…

Riccardo Calafiori expressed significant admiration for the £42 million Arsenal player following his six recoveries against Nottingham Forest.

After witnessing six recoveries against Nottingham Forest, Riccardo Calafiori was highly impressed by the £42 million Arsenal star.

Riccardo Calafiori has expressed his admiration for Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino following the team’s impressive 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

The Gunners showcased a strong performance, with goals from Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey, and Ethan Nwaneri contributing to the win.

Merino, who unexpectedly started alongside Jorginho in central midfield, delivered a commendable performance.

Despite achieving a passing accuracy of 85 percent, the 28-year-old excelled in other areas, winning six duels and making six recoveries.

He also recorded two tackles and as many interceptions.

Post-match, Merino took to Instagram to celebrate the win, posting: “Back to winning ways!! 3 points and clean sheet.

Amazing support gooners! Let’s keep going together.” Calafiori responded enthusiastically with ‘Mucho cali,’ indicating his appreciation for Merino’s quality.

Merino’s transition to English football has been challenging, as a minor shoulder fracture delayed his debut by four weeks.

However, he has become a consistent member of the matchday squad and appears to be gaining confidence as he adapts to the league’s pace.

Looking ahead, it will be intriguing to see if the £42 million-rated player retains his spot in the lineup for the upcoming Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.

Declan Rice and Partey may return to the starting XI, with Rice having been an unused substitute due to a broken toe.

The Gunners currently sit two points shy of the top eight in the league and must secure a victory against Sporting CP to maintain their competitive standing.

This will be a challenging endeavor, as Sporting CP has been in excellent form, recently overpowering Manchester City.