Arsenal are considering the option of securing one of the top central midfielders internationally, who is superior to Merino…

Arsenal are contemplating a move for one of the top central midfielders globally, who surpasses Merino in terms of quality.

Arsenal are considering making a move for one of the top central midfielders in the world, who is believed to be better than Merino, according to an opinion.

Arsenal supporters were buzzing with anticipation at this point last year. The reason? They had successfully outbid Manchester City to secure the services of England’s top midfielder, Declan Rice.

The Gunners shattered their transfer record, previously set by Nicolas Pepe, by splashing out £105m to bring the West Ham captain to North London.

Despite facing criticism for his displays at Euro 2024, Rice was a powerhouse in the previous season, controlling the midfield for Arsenal who narrowly missed out on clinching the Premier League title by just two points.

Rice achieved a career-high of seven goals and ten assists this season, transitioning from a defensive midfielder to a versatile player who now also takes set pieces.

So, who will be Rice’s long-term partner? While Jorginho and Thomas Partey can fill in temporarily, it seems like they may need more.

Arsenal considering Spanish pair

As reported by Ben Jacobs for GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal is eyeing two midfielders for the upcoming summer transfer window.

One of them is Mikel Merino, the Spaniard who scored a last-minute header against Germany at Euro 2024, knocking out the hosts with what was essentially the final play of extra time.

Heading into the final year of his contract, there is a belief that the midfielder could be acquired for a bargain fee of approximately £25m. He would certainly fit the Jorginho mold.

The same report indicates that there might be a more appealing target, Martin Zubimendi.

Jacobs mentioned to GMS: “Arsenal still hold an interest in Merino’s Sociedad teammate Martin Zubimendi, and the main concern is not his price tag.

The €60m (£50m) release clause may appear steep, but it did not deter Arsenal in January.

They are aware that Zubimendi is deeply attached to Sociedad and experienced Champions League football last season. The real challenge lies in convincing the player to depart.”

Comparing Zubimendi to Merino.

During the halftime of the European Championship final between England and Spain, the team in red had to make a substitution.

England supporters celebrated when Rodri of Manchester City, who would later be named Player of the Tournament, was substituted.

Interestingly, just a minute into the second half, Spain took the lead with Nico Williams – another player targeted by Arsenal – scoring for Luis de la Fuente’s team.

In Rodri’s absence, Zubimendi, his replacement, put on a fantastic performance, proving why he is underrated and why his national team coach considers him one of the top center-midfielders globally.

Despite the dominant performance against England, Zubimendi’s excellence came as no surprise to his club, Real Sociedad. He has been showcasing his talent for quite some time.

Upon initial comparison, the statistics show a similar performance between the two players. Merino appears to have a greater impact in the attacking third, with more shot-creating actions and key passes.

Nevertheless, Arsenal may not necessarily require someone with those attributes, as they already have Odegaard and Rice who excel in those areas centrally.

A crucial aspect that Arteta will be looking for in a potential midfield signing this summer is the ability to maintain possession.

This is a quality that has proven to be valuable in players like Jorginho, who excels in evading pressure and finding precise passes.

Zubimendi possesses an abundance of passing skills, surpassing Merino in competition rate, medium, and long-range success. Considering what the Gunners are seeking, Zubimendi seems to be the better choice.