Confident Mikel Merino lists reasons why Arsenal WILL overcome odds to KO PSG

Certainly! Here’s a paraphrased version of the article with quoted words preserved:

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If Arsenal perform on the pitch as well as Mikel Merino speaks off it, their task in Paris shouldn’t be too daunting. Although PSG earned more praise for their outing at the Emirates, Arsenal still have a real chance to make it to the Champions League final.

Merino is adamant Arsenal *“WILL”* come out on top in Paris, stating the sides were only divided by *“fine margins”* in the London leg. He said: *“I think you have seen a team that can compete against a huge side like Paris.”*

*“I don’t know if you have seen Paris in the whole season but they are a really dominant team, they want to keep everybody in their own box and we managed to play a lot – we created big chances.”*

He emphasized Arsenal’s persistence: *“You can never give up on this team because I think we have proved that we are always going to fight until the end. I think we have the technical quality and, most importantly, we have the motivation to go to the second leg and win this for our fans and for ourselves.”*

Though this situation is different from their trip to Real Madrid—trailing this time instead of leading—Merino believes that victory at the Bernabeu boosts belief: *“Those experiences are massive for us – they prove we can win anywhere, the Bernabeu, or against any side in the Premier League.”*

He added: *“It gives us a lot of confidence. Paris is a tough place to go but we have always proved we can compete against anybody. With all due respect to anybody, I think we are going to win the second leg.”*

Many experts felt PSG could have had a bigger lead going into the return leg, having missed late opportunities. But Merino, who had a goal disallowed by a narrow VAR decision, sees the teams as very close in quality.

*“The five-centimetre offside changes the whole game but I think you saw a team (Arsenal) that can compete against anybody. We had massive chances to level the game, we couldn’t, but the team is full of confidence and full of energy for the second leg.”*

Merino faced some criticism for his midfield pairing with Declan Rice, which some blamed for PSG’s goal. But he praised the partnership: *“They (PSG) have a top midfield, they are a bunch of players that have a lot of dynamism, they change positions all the time.”*

*“But honestly, I felt really comfortable with Declan behind me as a number six. We have a good connection. Obviously it is great playing with one of the best midfielders in the world.”*

That setup will shift in Paris. With Thomas Partey returning from suspension, Merino will probably take a more advanced role.

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