- Arsenal have ended their 22-year wait for a Premier League title.
- Midfielder Mikel Merino says winning the league means more to many Arsenal players than the Champions League.
- Merino admitted his mindset changed after experiencing the intensity of English football.
- Arsenal will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final.
- The Spanish midfielder has also returned to training ahead of the final.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has opened up on the mentality inside the club’s dressing room after the Gunners finally clinched the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.
The North London side were officially crowned champions after Manchester City dropped points against Bournemouth, sealing a memorable campaign under manager Mikel Arteta.
Speaking in an interview with SER, Merino revealed that he was surprised to discover how highly Arsenal’s players and supporters value Premier League success compared to the UEFA Champions League.
The Spanish international admitted that before moving to England, he had always viewed the Champions League as the ultimate achievement in club football.
However, after experiencing the demands and competitiveness of English football firsthand, his perspective changed.
According to Merino, several Arsenal players told him that winning the Premier League carried greater emotional weight because of how difficult the competition is and the club’s long wait for domestic glory.
The midfielder explained that ending the 22-year drought made the triumph especially meaningful for both the squad and the fans, many of whom had waited decades to see Arsenal return to the top of English football.
Despite the celebrations, Arsenal’s season could still become even more historic.
The Gunners are now preparing for a UEFA Champions League final showdown against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30, where they will have an opportunity to complete a famous double.
Merino admitted he would love to win both trophies, joking that now that the Premier League title is already secured, he sees no reason not to be “greedy” and chase European glory as well.
Arsenal supporters also received another positive update after the midfielder confirmed he has returned to training ahead of the final.
Merino described being back with the squad as a huge relief, saying injuries make players appreciate the game even more once they return to full training.
With confidence high and silverware already secured, Arsenal now head into the Champions League final chasing what could become one of the greatest seasons in the club’s modern history.
