Merino opens up on one game that forced a players only meeting

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Merino opens up on one game that forced a players only meeting

Merino opens up on one game that forced a players only meeting

Fri, Oct 16, 2026 ·

3 min read

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Mikel Merino has revealed details of a meeting Arsenal's players held after drawing against Wolves in the Premier League last season. The result left the Gunners frustrated, with the squad recognising the importance of avoiding further dropped points against struggling opponents.

Wolves spent much of the campaign at the bottom of the Premier League table and were eventually relegated. Despite their difficulties, they managed to hold Arsenal to a draw, prompting concerns among the Gunners' players about their ability to win the title.

Arsenal would drop points in other matches, but the meeting proved valuable in addressing the team's response to adversity. They eventually secured the title despite suffering late defeats against Bournemouth and Manchester City.

Merino explains the players' meeting

Arsenal will now look to retain their title, and their experience from last season could help them handle pressure more effectively. Merino has explained how the dressing room conversation appeared to change the players' perspective.

Speaking via Mirror Football , he said:

"One slip, and all we heard was 'same old Arsenal'. To be honest, there were doubts inside the team too. Giving away a 2–0 lead should never happen. But the day after the game, the players had a meeting inside the dressing room, without the boss. Everyone spoke up.

"Nobody talked about tactics. This was about how a group of human beings handle adversity together. I spoke about how I saw the team from the outside, and I said that this was something we as players had to handle, because the boss couldn't do everything for us."

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

A lesson for Arsenal's title defence

The meeting gave Arsenal's players an opportunity to address their concerns directly, without relying entirely on the manager to resolve their problems. Merino's comments suggest the discussion focused on personal responsibility, unity and how the squad should respond when results go against them.

Such conversations can be important for teams competing for major honours, particularly when expectations are high and every dropped point carries consequences. Arsenal know that maintaining consistency requires players to support one another and take responsibility for their performances.

Having experienced those pressures together, the Gunners will hope to use the lessons from last season as they pursue another title. Their ability to respond collectively to setbacks could prove important throughout the campaign.

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