Mikel Merino made a surprise choice when asked which Real Madrid player he loves the most.
The Spain international is preparing to lock horns with the reigning European champions again on Wednesday night as Arsenal travel to the Spanish capital.
Merino and his teammates will be looking to protect a commanding 3-0 first leg advantage but are fully aware Carlo Ancelotti’s side have demonstrated remarkable powers of recovery before.
Real’s star-studded side has defied the odds on multiple occasions over the last few years but Merino admits it is one of their least heralded players who he has the greatest respect for.
Merino praises Rodrygo’s movement and technical quality
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He told Cope: ‘They’re all top-level players, I love them all, but the one I like the most, and I’ve already said I’d like to play with him, is Rodrygo.
‘He’s very good technically, he plays very well between the lines, he moves into space well… I really like watching him play. He’s a profile that any midfielder would like to play with.’
Despite appearing to be in such a desperate situation, Real have talked up the possibility of staging another seismic comeback.
‘It has to be the mentality of a team,’ said Merino when asked if we was surprised Arsenal’s opponents remain so sure of progressing.
‘If it were the other way around, we would have that mentality. On a football pitch, a thousand things can happen, and that’s why we have so much respect for them. I haven’t spoken to my teammates about that subject.
Will Arsenal sit on their lead against Real Madrid?
‘They know because these things have happened in previous years, especially in the Champions League.
‘It’s going to be a beautiful and important match; as one of the veterans, I will try to contribute my experience, but my teammates are pretty calm.’
Given their sizable lead, Arsenal could be forgiven for adopting a safety approach tomorrow night but Merino insists they will stay true to the type of football they have been exhibiting in Europe all season long.
He said: ‘The result always does something to you, it changes you. What we’ve done all season is stay true to our way of playing, to be dominant, to be brave.
‘In any tie, the psychological aspect is important, and with Madrid, even more so because of everything that lies behind it; but the team is ready.
‘We have to adapt to whatever happens and stay focused. Mentally, we work hard every day. The manager puts us in stressful situations and prepares us for any type of match.’