While Arsenal's spending under Mikel Arteta has soared past the £1 billion mark, it's a comparatively modest £31.6 million acquisition that is earning the most surprising plaudits. Former Premier League midfielder Paul Dickov has singled out midfielder Mikel Merino as the 'most underrated signing of recent years' in the entire division.
The Shrewd Signing Stealing the Spotlight
Arsenal's lavish investment continued in a productive summer 2025 transfer window, with high-profile names like Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, and Martin Zubimendi arriving at the Emirates Stadium. These new additions have been instrumental in the club's sensational start to the campaign, which sees them sitting top of the Premier League and joint-top of their Champions League group.
Yet, for Dickov, the real masterstroke remains the 2024 signing of Merino from Real Sociedad. The Spanish international, originally a midfielder, proved his immense value last season by seamlessly transitioning to a centre-forward role during an injury crisis, netting nine crucial goals. His form has continued into the current term, where he has already added three more to his tally.
'I think Mikel Merino has been the most underrated signing of recent years,' Dickov told BestBettingBonuses. 'I think if you’ve got to look at how he came in as a midfielder, how he transformed himself into a centre-forward last year when Arsenal had the injuries that they did.'
More Than Just a Goalscorer
Merino's goal threat is not limited to club football. He boasts a surprisingly strong record for the Spanish national team, having scored ten goals for his country, with an impressive eight of those coming since the start of 2025.
Dickov was quick to highlight the player's all-around contribution. 'He’s a really good player and I do think he is underrated,' he said. 'He’s a player that chips in with goals when needed. He doesn’t mind putting his foot in. When he plays up top, he puts himself about and causes problems and I think he’s been a really good signing.'
The pundit suggested that while flashier, more expensive signings like Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze are 'easier on the eye', Merino's importance is not lost on those inside the club. 'I’m pretty sure that his teammates and especially Mikel Arteta and his staff know how important he is, and probably realise the value that Mikel’s got in him.'
Title Charge Faces Defining Test
Arsenal's strong start, which has given them a four-point cushion at the Premier League summit, is about to be severely tested. The team returns from the international break to face a daunting run of fixtures, starting with the north London derby against Tottenham. This is swiftly followed by a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich and a Premier League encounter with London rivals Chelsea.
Dickov believes this period could be pivotal. 'Yeah, I would say so,' he replied when asked if these were Arsenal's biggest games of the season so far. 'It’s going to be a huge week for Arsenal, but yet again, it’s still only November. People will already be talking about Arsenal blowing it again and I don’t buy into that. I think they have too much quality and strength and depth this season for anything to be decided in November.'
As for the higher-profile Gyokeres, who has had a mixed start since his £64 million move, Dickov remains optimistic. After a nine-match goal drought, the striker scored three in three games before the international break. 'If he stays fit, he can bang them in,' Dickov stated, setting a 20-goal seasonal target for the Swede, confident that the talent around him at Arsenal makes it an achievable aim.
