Merino ‘buzzing’ for Arsenal duo after win over Portsmouth

Mikel Merino spoke of his delight for Arsenal team-mates Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli after Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

Martinelli scored a hat-trick to send his side through to the fourth round, after what had been a difficult week for the Brazilian having been criticised for trying to push Liverpool Conor Bradley off of the pitch while he was down injured.

But Merino praised the 24-year-old for his response to the noise around him.

“We are really happy for him,” he said. “He’s a great guy. Everyone that knows him knows he’s a really, really kind kid. 

“He’s always smiling. He’s always kind with everyone. Obviously, you can see that today he came here with the best attitude. Knowing he’s a great professional as well, it doesn’t matter the atmosphere around him. He’s always focused on the team, on doing the best thing possible. 

“We are very pleased that he’s performing this well.”

On the incident against Liverpool, Merino added: “Yeah, obviously sometimes when you’re on the pitch, you don’t have all the clues, you don’t have all the information and you can react in a certain way.

“But obviously, everyone knows how good of a kid he is. He never pretends to or tries to make someone feel bad. It was just a small mistake and he said sorry and the matter ends there.”

Merino also says he is “buzzing” for Kai Havertz, who made his first Arsenal appearance since August against Portsmouth having been sidelined through injury.

“Amazing, amazing,” Merino said.

“We’re all buzzing for him to come back after a big, big injury. To have him around is so good for everyone, for the atmosphere in the training ground, for the support that he gives us as well in the training ground, having him around every training session.

“And now having him on the pitch is one more asset, one more tool for the coach. Yes, really happy for him.”