When it comes to catching Manchester City, Mikel Arteta believes that size matters.

Arsenal have built their most physically-imposing team since the ‘Invincibles’ in a deliberate move that Arteta hopes will lead them to the title this season.

Arteta has transformed the physical profile of his squad in recent years. Declan Rice and Kai Havertz were brought in for a combined £170million to add height and strength last summer, while new £42m signing Riccardo Calafiori will add even more aerial power at the back.

The manager wants powerful players who are also blessed with technical skill, and prospective new signing Mikel Merino would add a further level of athleticism.

Arsenal remain locked in talks with Real Sociedad over a deal for Merino, a 6ft 2in midfielder who was in the Spain squad that won Euro 2024.

If both Calafiori and Merino were added to the starting XI that beat Wolves on Saturday in place of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey, eight Arsenal players would be 6ft or taller.

They have not had such size in their team since players like Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell and Thierry Henry went unbeaten in 2003-04.

It has been some shift under Arteta, who has targeted players to make Arsenal tough again.

In his first game in charge five years ago, more than half the Arsenal XI were under 6ft.

Pep Guardiola’s City have set a new standard in a modern game that demands strength and skill, but Arsenal are now as powerful as any team in Europe.

“Physicality is something that you need,” Arteta said last season before Arsenal played City in October. “[City] are one of the most powerful teams in the Premier League, that is for sure, and you need to match that up.”

Arteta believes Merino, who is valued at up to £30m, would help his side in their bid to dominate opposition midfields. The 28-year-old would most likely operate as a No8, a position he has excelled in for both club and country. Sociedad head coach Imanol Alguacil last week called him the best midfielder in La Liga.

Merino won more duels than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues last season, while he also ranked first in La Liga for tackles in the opposition third. He has also earned a reputation for being a monster in the air, both in attack and defence.