Spain's defender #22 Marc Cucurella (R) celebrates with teammates Spain's midfielder #18 Martin Zubimendi and Spain's midfielder #17 Nico Williams after he scored the team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E European qualification football matches between Bulgaria and Spain, at the Vassil Levski stadium in Sofia on September 4, 2025.placeholder image
Spain's defender #22 Marc Cucurella (R) celebrates with teammates Spain's midfielder #18 Martin Zubimendi and Spain's midfielder #17 Nico Williams after he scored the team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E European qualification football matches between Bulgaria and Spain, at the Vassil Levski stadium in Sofia on September 4, 2025. | AFP via Getty Images
Two Arsenal players played a huge role as Spain beat Bulgaria 3-0 on Thursday night
European Champions Spain will be looking to add the World Cup to their collection and begin a similar era of dominance to the one that they enjoyed some 15 years ago.
Gone is the core of players from Barcelona and Real Madrid with two Arsenal players being trusted in the heart of midfield by Luis de la Fuente. They might not be Andres Iniesta or Sergio Busquets, however, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino were at the heart of everything good about Spain’s 3-0 win over Bulgaria.
The scoreline flattered the hosts with Spain having 24 attempts at goal to Bulgaria’s 3 and 820 passes to 222. Had it been 6 or 7 and nobody could really have complained. Someone who will be happy is Mikel Arteta after watching the Arsenal duo impress with Merino continuing his uncanny ability to score goals from wherever he is playing.
What the Gunners boss will be hoping now is that they both return to the Emirates fully fit and ready to help rediscover the sort of form that can produce a sustained title challenge.
Rated by Goal, both players can be pleased with their evening’s work: “Martin Zubamendi (7/10): Provided the assist for Oyarzabal's opening goal. A busy presence across midfield and would have impressed his new boss Mikel Arteta.
“Mikel Merino (7/10): Perfectly-timed leap to powerfully head home Spain's third. Enjoyed an easy evening, able to pick his passes at will.”
The data behind the pair’s performances is also impressive against a Bulgaria side that has embarrassed England in the not-so-distant past. With players like Nico Williams, who Arsenal were linked with, and Lamine Yamal ahead of them, their primary roles were to win the ball and keep Spain on the front foot which they did to good effect.
According to FotMob, Merino was man of the match, outshining Barca prodigy Yamal with an 8.5 match score. In 90 minutes, the 29-year old posted an xG of 1.11, had a pass success rate of 91%, recovered the ball seven times and won half of his aerial duels in an all-action display.
Zubimendi wasn’t far behind with a score of 8.1 chipping in with an assist and a pass success rate of 89% including creating two chances and two big chances. Not only did the 26-year old make 3 out of 4 long balls, but he won all his aerial duels, made two clearances, two headed clearances and three recoveries. A very Busquets-esque display.
Almost in their manager’s mould, Merino and Zubimendi aren’t flashy, they will also never be likely to be mentioned as contenders for the Ballon d’Or.
What they are though is honest. They will provide the platform for other, more talented, players to make the difference. Didier Deschamps was once described as a “water carrier”, a back handed compliment that isn’t far from the truth when describing both Merino and Zubimendi.
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