"The goal and objective is to win the Champions League, to win the Premier League, to win everything," Mikel Merino said in an interview with goal.com. It is a big statement, but Arsenal have earned the right to say it after a start that has them winning 9 of their opening 10 matches in all competitions and unbeaten in 14 league-phase Champions League games.

Arsenal's start underpins the confidence

Merino was even stronger when he explained why the mood inside Arsenal has shifted. "Absolutely. This is our mentality and the aim. We were so, so close last season. That proved to us that we are ready for it. Now it's about details. It's about being present and ready in the right moments, and of course we believe that," he told goal.com.

The line fits the results. Arsenal's only setback so far was a 3-0 defeat at Brighton, while they have also won their opening two European matches. In the league phase, the unbeaten run now stretches to 14 matches across nearly two years, which is exactly the kind of base that makes Merino's confidence feel less like talk and more like the standard inside the squad.

Merino's own numbers are part of that story too. He has made 86 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, scoring 16 goals and providing eight assists, and in 2026 he has 3 goals in 8 appearances. That is not a player speaking from the fringes.

Arteta's injury update before Forest and Bayern

Mikel Arteta also gave Arsenal a fitness update before the trip to Nottingham Forest and then Bayern München away in the Champions League. "Zubi is much, much better. Piero is improving, but it looks more significant. I think it will be a matter of weeks [before he is available], but we don't know exactly how many," Arteta said.

That leaves Martin Zubimendi moving in the right direction, while Piero Hincapie looks set for a longer wait. Arsenal do not need much encouragement after this start, but the next few weeks will tell us whether the words about winning everything are matched by a squad that can keep both fronts moving at once.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →