Mikel Merino and Declan Rice applaud the Arsenal followers (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Photos)
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has praised the “finishers” in Mikel Arteta’s squad that may come on and make an impression off the bench.
Nevertheless, the Spain worldwide has additionally admitted that one difficulty with having such an enormous squad is that nobody actually desires to spend so much of time on the bench.
Merino, talking within the combined zone after the Athletic Bilbao recreation, was clearly referencing Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, who each got here on to attain and help for Arsenal’s two targets.
Nonetheless, Merino additionally admitted that each participant desires to play, so will probably be attention-grabbing to see how he and others react if their taking part in time is restricted over the course of the marketing campaign…
? “I am not going to lie…” – Mikel Merino speaks out on having a lot competitors on this Arsenal squad now…? pic.twitter.com/NjdIYH9jjx
— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) September 20, 2025
Mikel Merino taking part in an essential position at Arsenal, even when he’s by no means prone to be an everyday starter
Merino has had a good impression since becoming a member of Arsenal from Actual Sociedad final season, and he continues to shine for his nationwide facet.
The 29-year-old is able to taking part in a wide range of completely different positions, so that ought to serve him nicely by way of taking part in time this time period.
Nevertheless, Charles Watts lately mentioned his position in his unique column for CaughtOffside, and instructed he couldn’t see Merino being a starter fairly often on account of it not being clear how nicely he matches into Arteta’s tactical set-up.
“I do suppose he’s an underrated participant and he will get loads of unfair criticism. Lots of people wrongly view him as a defensive participant and we noticed that within the response to his inclusion within the beginning XI at Anfield earlier than the worldwide break,” Watts mentioned.
“Like others, I’d have most popular to have seen somebody like Eberechi Eze begin that day in opposition to Liverpool. Enjoying Merino with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi did really feel just like the conservative possibility by way of creativity from midfield, however there is no such thing as a doubt he provides a critical purpose menace. He’s simply very composed when he will get a sniff of an opportunity.
“I believe the largest difficulty with him in the case of Arsenal is it’s nonetheless not likely clear precisely what kind of participant he’s in the case of the system Mikel Arteta performs.
“When he’s picked in midfield we very hardly ever see him drift into the kind of area that permits him to get the kind of probabilities we noticed him end so nicely in opposition to Turkey.
“So perhaps if Arteta desires to get the most effective out of him he has to discover a position that offers him a bit extra freedom in and across the field.
“Realistically although I don’t actually see that taking place except he will get used as a striker, which is why I don’t ever actually see Merino being an everyday starter on this crew if everyone seems to be match.”
