Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, who will return to the Premier League after six years away. Merino spent one year at Newcastle before moving to Real Sociedad, which is much closer to his hometown of Pamplona. The Spaniard did impress at times at Newcastle, but it was in La Liga that he evolved into the player he is today, as a Euro winner coveted by Mikel Arteta. Arsenal have beaten Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to his signature, and Merino will now return to play in England, and this time in North London. During his one season at Newcastle, he p…