Merino 'an absolutely stellar signing' or a 'big mistake'?

Following the arrival of midfielder Mikel Merino on a four-year deal from Real Sociedad, we asked you for your views on the new signing.

Here are some of your comments:

Lewis: While I think many people will be disappointed with the signing/price/age, I have an inherent level of trust in our recruitment in recent years. I truly believe he will hit the ground running and replace Thomas Partey really well.

Stewart: I was impressed with Merino's impact at the Euros and think he gives us the strength in depth needed in order to rotate Partey and Declan Rice to keep everyone fresh. It has been a brilliant transfer window so far but Edu and Mikel Arteta are still missing that final piece of the puzzle for me - a striker who can get you 20-plus goals.

Malcolm: Arsenal need a top-rate striker not a midfielder. Big mistake.

Ben: Adds steel and creativity to the midfield, and can help accentuate Gabriel Martinelli's strengths along with Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori on that left side, like Oleksandr Zinchenko and Granit Xhaka did. He also knows Martin Odegaard from their time at Sociedad together, where they had good chemistry. I'm excited.

Nigel: Absolutely stellar signing. Arteta and Edu make one hell of partnership. I wouldn't mind a proven number nine before Friday but it's not the end of the season if we don't get one.

Keith: I know, let's buy another midfielder instead of a quality, proven striker. The clock is ticking, particularly in light of the fact that Arteta has delayed contract talks until after the transfer window closes. That's a veiled threat to the Arsenal hierarchy.