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Mikel Merino has now scored winners for Spain in back-to-back matches. This has reminded Arsenal fans how good he is in the final third, where his future Arsenal position should be.
Merino struck the winning goal against Portugal in added time and backed it up by doing the same against Belgium in the quarter-finals. However, Spain now face the difficult task of playing France in the semi-finals.
He is a midfielder by trade, but Merino has even had to fill in as a striker on occasion for Arsenal. He never played up front for any of his previous clubs, Real Sociedad, Newcastle United, Borussia Dortmund or Osasuna.
It must have been something Mikel Arteta saw in Merino during training. Also, desperation in Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus both being injured during the 2024/25 season led to Merino playing striker for the Gunners.
Mikel Merino's versatility has been useful for Arsenal and Spain
His record playing up front for Arsenal is 10 goals with six assists in 23 matches. Arsenal's current striker is Viktor Gyokeres, who has scored 21 times with three assists in 55 games in total for the club.
Last season, Merino again played center-forward as well when Gyokeres was injured. However, in total, he played in just 22 Premier League games as the Gunners won the division. This was in part due to Merino having to have foot surgery. Merino's game time in midfield could be even more limited next season. This is due to Arsenal potentially signing Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United.
Merino could also struggle for game time up front for Arsenal. The Gunners have been linked with Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid.
Despite his lack of game time with Arsenal, there are no current rumors of him potentially departing the club.
However, Arteta will be keeping note of his performances at the World Cup. He is getting a chance when the other Arsenal players in Spain's squad are not. Martin Zubimendi and David Raya are yet to play a minute at the World Cup.
Merino has played in all six of Spain's games so far. However, he has started just one of them, which was in their final group stage match against Uruguay. Spain have so far conceded just one goal in the tournament.
It will be difficult for them to keep out France, who, of course, have Kylian Mbappe, in the semi-finals. If the match is still level going into the final stages, then Spain fans will be looking at Merino to make the difference again.
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