Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino believes the Gunners have now assembled the most formidable engine room in world football following the blockbuster arrival of Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian international completed a £75 million move from Newcastle United this summer, further bolstering a squad that successfully achieved their Premier League title dream last term.
Luis de la Fuente has hailed Mikel Merino as a player "tailor-made" for Spain's tactical identity following their hard-fought victory over Belgium. The midfielder's impact proved decisive as La Roja secured their place in the World Cup semi-finals.
Mikel Merino once again came off the bench to win a game for Spain as the European Champions beat Belgium 2-1 to progress to the semi-finals of the World Cup. La Roja unsurprisingly dominated possession from the first whistle in Los Angeles and, after plenty of patient probing, they took a deserved lead when Fabian Ruiz fired home from close range, after Thibaut Courtois had failed to parry a Dani Olmo shot to safety.
Luis de la Fuente was full of praise for his substitutes after Spain secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal to reach the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals. The La Roja boss highlighted the "masterful" contribution of Mikel Merino, who settled the tense knockout clash with a clinical strike in the dying moments.
Substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner as Spain edged Portugal 1-0 in an unexpectedly drab World Cup round-of-16 clash on Monday. The Arsenal midfielder was introduced in the 85th minute and won the game in the 91st with a tidy finish that was just about deserved. La Roja were ineffective for long stretches, and created little, but Merino proved to be the difference-maker.
Comprehensive match preview of Spain vs Austria at World Cup 2026. We talk tactics, team news and more ahead of this round of 32 clash at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has opened up on the psychological toll of a unique five-month injury layoff that left him fearing for his professional career. Following his return to first-team training after undergoing surgery on a rare foot fracture, the Spanish international expressed immense gratitude for the unwavering solidarity shown by his teammates.
Arsenal have received a significant fitness boost at the perfect time as Mikel Merino has officially returned to training. The Spanish midfielder has been sidelined since February, but his recovery provides Mikel Arteta with a major selection lift ahead of the new Premier League champions' final game of the domestic season and Champions League final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions have been hit by a significant setback with the news that Jurrien Timber may not feature again this season. The Dutch defender has been out of action for nearly two months, and his recovery timeline has proven far more complex than the club initially anticipated.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a surprisingly optimistic fitness update on Mikel Merino, suggesting the midfielder could still feature before the campaign concludes. Despite undergoing surgery on a broken foot, the Spanish international is being backed to make a rapid recovery and play a part in the Gunners' season run-in.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has sent out a positive message to supporters after undergoing surgery on a fractured foot. The Spain star has been forced to go under the knife and is now facing some significant time on the sidelines. However, he appears to be in positive mood and will be hoping he can still play a part in Arsenal's 2025-26 season.
Mikel Merino has undergone surgery on the foot injury that he suffered at the end of Arsenal's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United. The Spain international could well return before the end of the season, but he faces a race against time to feature in the conclusion of what could be an immensely tight title race. Arsenal currently top the table and are six points clear of Manchester City.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed the club would like to make a late transfer before the January window closes on Monday evening after losing Mikel Merino to injury. The Spain star is expected to be sidelined for some time after sustaining a fractured foot, and Arteta has offered a fresh update on the club's transfer plans on deadline day.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino is expected to be out for an 'extended period' with a foot injury and may not feature again this season. He is set to undergo surgery on the issue, which he sustained late in the defeat against Manchester United last weekend. Arsenal are thought to be considering emergency measures in the winter transfer market to cover for the absence of the 29-year-old.
Mikel Merino was the hero yet again for Arsenal, picking up a goal and an assist as the Premier League leaders saw off a stubborn Brentford side 2-0 at the Emirates to restore their five-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City. The Spain international, still playing as Mikel Arteta's makeshift striker, scored a fine header early on to open the scoring and then set up substitute Bukayo Saka in the closing stages to wrap up a crucial win for the Gunners.
