Mikel Merino lays down challenge to Arsenal stars after Mikel Arteta warning

Mikel Merino has laid down the challenge to Arsenal’s stars by admitting: “We have to win every game.”

The Gunners are clinging on to their title hopes after letting another two points slip away to on Sunday.

And with ’s team nine points behind leaders entering the year’s final international break, have little margin for error less than a third of the way into the campaign.

But midfielder Merino insists the outlook remains positive in the dressing room and the squad is embracing the pressure despite taking only two points from their past four fixtures.

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Asked if Arsenal need to start winning once the resumes, with a visit from on Saturday week, Merino said: “That’s obvious but we don’t have to look at the negatives. We have to look at the positives.

“We have to look at ourselves, at how we want to perform, and not start thinking about what is going to happen if we lose. That’s adding extra pressure.

“We know we have to win every game. We know that. We want that and we have to work for that – and in order to achieve that we have to focus on the present, on ourselves, on improving and getting better. That’s what we are going to do.”

Arteta has already called on his squad to “show your teeth and show how much you want it” once action resumes.

However, Merino has cautioned against becoming too fixated on recent results or the title. He concedes failing to close out their lead at Stamford Bridge was a “disappointment.”

But the manner in which Arsenal pushed for another goal after being pegged back by Pedro Neto proved there is no doubt about their mental strength.

“The character that these guys are showing is just unbelievable,” he added. “You can see it, just [after] conceding a goal away from home, against a team who is normally dominant, and you are the ones who are dictating the tempo and attacking and creating the chances.

“This is a big sign of what this team is about. I think if you want to be in a big club, if you want to achieve big things, you have to love the pressure.

“You have to love playing against the best and for the biggest trophies. The mentality that these players have is to try to be the best, every single day, every training session.

“That says a lot about this team, but it is not only about wanting to do it. You have to show it. We are showing it in training sessions, we have to show it in games as well. And, for sure, I think we will.”

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