A natural leader, midfielder, makeshift striker and future manager. Arsenal’s Mikel Merino really can do anything. You’d really be hard-pressed to find a more popular member of Mikel Arteta’s dressing room.
Merinos is the consummate professional, intelligent standard setter, forward thinker and above all, a wonderful player. For World Cup winners Spain, he is unique and indispensable as he has a habit of coming on with a valve when his national team needs him the most.
He scored two winners in nine minutes of the World Cup against Portugal (90th minute) and Belgium (88th minute). However, his excellent goal-scoring form has spilled over into the three-week international break. He scored a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic before facing Croatia in Split last night.
Merino was called on from the bench at half-time with La Roja 1-0 down and a 41-match unbeaten record. So what does he do? Scored twice, including a stunning winner in the 88th minute, to keep Spain on top.
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Boss Luis de la Fuente admitted he couldn’t love Merino more, explaining: “It’s an honor and a privilege to coach a player of his talent. I think when we went to the World Cup I even said I’d carry him in my arms if he got injured and I don’t think I’m exaggerating his talent. He’s more appreciated.”
De La Fuente is right – to an extent – because Merino is valued in England, at least at Arsenal.
During the 2024-25 campaign, when Arsenal’s Premier League title seemed to be on the wane, the Merinos scored off the bench to win (2-0) at Leicester.
In doing so, he showed the qualities of a true shooter and penalty area fox. He would then lead the line against Real Madrid and PSG in the Champions League play-offs, earning Arteta’s trust as a centre-forward.
He has had a few spells in the role since then, but hasn’t really played as a No.9 since the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last December.
The reason was not personal; rather, Arsenal’s depth in that position was strong. Last season, the club had Kai Havertz, Victor Gokeres, Gabriel Jesus and Merino at their disposal.
Since then, Merino’s minutes have come in his natural position, central midfield. But Haverts’ hamstring injury and Issa’s departure mean he is suddenly out of the attack.
Furthermore, if Havertz is out for several weeks, Gokeres cannot play every game in all competitions and the workload must be shared.
Nobody would have predicted that Merino would be an active, lively option at striker again this season, but that’s the way things have changed and Arteta will no doubt trust him to do a great job.
In fact, he may even be tempted to give him minutes as a centre-forward against Leeds this weekend, although Gyokeres – on the back of four goals in four games for Sweden – is set to start instead of Havertz.
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