It seems almost fated that Mikel Merino would one day don the Arsenal jersey, especially when reminiscing about childhood photos where he proudly wore our colors!

When he signed his contract, Mikel’s family unveiled a collection of photos showing him in an Arsenal kit from his younger years. Nearly two decades later, he recreated those iconic images, fulfilling his childhood dream of representing the club.

“It’s incredible how life unfolds!” he remarked with a smile. “My father was a footballer, so I had shirts from the teams he played for, but not from other clubs. During one holiday, my parents surprised me with a complete Arsenal kit. I was overjoyed and posed for photos as if I were a professional player!”

Reflecting on how he’s now living out his dream of playing for such a prestigious club, it’s astonishing to see how life has come full circle from those early pictures.

Explore the gallery to see Mikel’s journey from then to now in his Arsenal kit, and grab your own Merino 23 shirt from Arsenal Direct!