Mikel Merino makes bold Arsenal Champions League claim after Lille victory

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino (Picture: Shutterstock) Mikel Merino believes Arsenal are ‘ready’ and capable of winning the quadruple this season after continuing their unbeaten start to this season’s Champions League.

Goals from Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka saw the Gunners ease to a comfortable 3-0 victory against Lille at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta’s side have now won 14 consecutive matches in the tournament’s league phase as they look to go one better this season after losing in last year’s final to Paris Saint-Germain.

And Merino, who started for just the second time in all competitions this season, struck a confident tone when asked about his side’s ambitions this season.

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‘It’s an unbelievable run,’ Merino told Sky Sports post-match. ‘We know we’re making history in the competition.

‘At the same time, we know how difficult it is to win games. We keep a lot of value and credit in the team for what we’re doing.

‘The goal is to win the Champions League, the Premier League, to win everything. That’s what the manager wants. That’s what the fans want. That’s what we as players want as well.’

Asked about whether the quadruple was possible, Merino said: ‘Absolutely. This is the mentality. This is the aim. We were so, so close last season and that proved to us we are ready for it.

‘Now it’s about details, being present and ready in the right moments. And we believe that.’

Meanwhile, speaking after the game, Arteta was keen to hail the impact of his substitutes in helping Arsenal pull clear of their French opponents.

‘We had moments in the game – in the first half especially – in certain moments we arrived in very dangerous positions with a lot of advantage,’ he said.

‘Our technical quality wasn’t good enough to deliver moments of real threat, and especially to be able to sustain attacks so well in certain transitions.

‘The moment we made a change in terms of positions at half-time, our technical level increased, and we attacked the spaces where we thought we could hurt them. It was a joy to watch, the three goals were unbelievable, the connections, the timings, the quality they delivered to score.

‘Three different players, and more who participated in those goals, so overall, I’m very, very happy.’

Arsenal return to action next Sunday when they travel to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest.

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