Arsenal looking to emulate 2006 win over Madrid, says Merino

Mikel Merino (Pamplona, 1996) has discovered a new role as a No 9. Injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz pushed him to be a centre forward and he has delivered. He has scored five goals in nine games and has the best scoring average in the Premier League in this time. On Tuesday, Real Madrid will be his next target.

In a chat with Spanish journalists, Merino discusses the adjustments he has had to make to his game to convert to striker, the motivational role of Mikel Arteta, the mystique of Real Madrid and the ambition and frustration at Arsenal to be close to finishing three years in a row as champions in England.

On what's most important for a No 9 at Arsenal: "I think the most important thing, whether you play as a striker or in any other position, is that we play in a certain way in which everyone has to be involved and everyone has to respect certain principles. I don't think that as a striker I have to do something very different, they are different movements, but the principles are the same and the important thing is to be in the right place at the right time. We have a lot of possession, we tend to play a lot in the opponent's half and surround the box and as a striker, with the characteristics, I try to be a threat in the box."

On his memories of Arsenal's 2006 win over Madrid and emulating Thierry Henry: "I don't see myself playing like Henry, because there aren't many people like him. That tie was a historic moment and there are very good memories. Everyone is very eager and excited to try to repeat it."

On falling just short of the Premier League title: "For me, it's the first time I've been in a team where titles are being pursued with such a clear objective and talked about openly. It speaks volumes about the mentality here. We have been finishing second for two seasons in a row and we are not satisfied with that. The mentality is to try to win titles. We have to use that frustration as fuel."