According to a report by the London Evening Standard on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Mikel Merino has explained what he believes makes this Arsenal team different from previous squads that came close to success but ultimately fell short.
Speaking on The Overlap during a conversation with Gary Neville, the Spanish midfielder discussed the changes that helped Arsenal win the Premier League title this season.
Merino explained that Arsenal went through several difficult periods during the campaign, but the squad responded with unity, maturity, and resilience. He said the players always viewed setbacks as temporary and stayed focused on overcoming challenges together while continuing to collect important points throughout the season.
According to Merino, Arsenal’s success was built more on consistency than style of play. He stressed that the team prioritised results and maintained belief during both good and difficult moments, which eventually helped them secure the Premier League trophy.
The theme of togetherness has been central to Arsenal’s campaign, with players and staff repeatedly highlighting the strong unity within the squad during the season.
Mikel Arteta also reportedly identified key moments when he feared Arsenal could lose momentum in the title race, choosing to focus on the players’ emotional recovery and mentality rather than making major tactical changes.
At London Colney, Arteta introduced smaller adjustments aimed at protecting squad morale and maintaining togetherness. These included reducing constant exposure to sports news and occasionally giving players unexpected rest days to help preserve a positive atmosphere within the group.
Declan Rice’s “it’s not done” message after Arsenal’s defeat at the Etihad Stadium also became symbolic of the mentality inside the squad, reflecting the determination and resilience the team showed throughout the title race.
Merino’s own season was interrupted by a serious stress fracture in his foot, which kept him out for several months. However, he recently returned to action as a late substitute against Crystal Palace and is now pushing to be involved in Arsenal’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.