Mikel Merino agrees with Dani Ceballos and says he was right about the Premier League

Ceballos always had faith in Arteta, but his spell in England did not begin nearly as brightly as Merino’s, especially because Unai Emery was the head coach when he first joined.

At that time, one thing that stood out to him was how much faster the Premier League felt compared to La Liga, something the No. 23 echoed later on.

Merino was questioned about Ceballos’ opinions regarding the speed of English football during a pre-match interview, ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League game against Atletico Madrid.

“When everyone says there’s a big difference and that the pace of the Premier League is very high, it’s for a reason, and it’s true. The pace and intensity in the Premier League are high; sometimes it’s crazy on the pitch, but you have to adapt as best you can.”

The Arsenal midfielder observed that La Liga offers midfielders more time on the ball, but expressed his enthusiasm for the style of play in England.

“Sometimes it’s tiring, but you have to maintain the pace. And I think if you want to be one of the best players in the world, you have to be able to play in all situations.”

No one expected his scoring numbers to jump after moving clubs either. It was not something he had shown before arriving at Arsenal, but it has helped underline why he looks well-suited for English football.

Dani Ceballos’ time at Arsenal compared to Mikel Merino’s

Some players take to the Premier League straight away, while others find it a tough place to settle in.

Ceballos had his moments at Arsenal, but even then, it was pretty clear that La Liga was where he looked most comfortable.

Looking just at their time with the Gunners, Merino already has eight goal involvements in fewer matches than Ceballos managed during his stint.

Merino has settled into life at Arsenal quicker than Ceballos did, and given how well things have gone for him back in Spain, he probably is not too bothered by those comparisons.