It's as if for years I had looked at football in a certain way, and now my perception is changing because I no longer see the field from the same angle, I no longer have the same reference points. For example, before, when I was in front of the defence, I knew I had two players behind me, one diagonally to the right and one to the left.
When I first arrived there, playing under pressure was a bit difficult for me, he said to FootRDC. Now, I'm also working on the mental aspect, to be more motivated. It helps me make better decisions, read the game faster, and that's what has allowed me to develop. Here, I feel even freer than at Sunderland. I can really move around, get involved in the game. These are things that also come with time and hard work.
It's a great compliment, but I have a different role. After my debut against Wolves, they compared me to Kevin De Bruyne. Obviously, that's a huge compliment, but I have a different role. My qualities are different too. So you reject the comparison? City told me from the start and I've often told myself too: I'm not the new De Bruyne.
Merino is surely good enough to be getting more opportunities with Arsenal, with the former Real Sociedad man earning a 9.9 score from WhoScored in the game against Bulgaria. Their stats show that Merino had two shots on target and scored with both of them, while he also made one successful tackle and interception, and completed 87% of his passes.
