Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scored a hat-trick for the Spanish National team in a 6-0 demolition of Turkey.
The Gunners are currently on a break and waiting for the return of many first team stars who are out on international duty. The likes of Gyokeres, Saka, Madueke, Merino and Odegaard are out playing huge roles for their national teams.
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After a start to the season which saw Arsenal get six points from a possible nine, it has been good, but there is room for improvement too, as they lost 1-0 to Liverpool last time out.
In terms of the Gunners on international duty, nobody is impressing more than Mikel Merino, who scored a hat-trick for Spain in their most recent game against Turkey. His first two goals were from inside the box, made possible by excellent positioning, and his third, a superb top-corner finish from outside the box.
Should Mikel Arteta play Merino more for Arsenal?
So far this season, Merino has started just one game for the Gunners, and his performance for Spain over the weekend, begs the question why.
Last season, in Merino’s first year at the club, he was able to come in and demonstrate his attacking prowess as he stood in for Kai Havertz up front. The Spaniard scored nine goals, and provided five assists last year.
Furthermore, he has shown for Spain that he is more than capable of playing an advanced role, and also providing goals, so how can Arteta fit him in more?
The choice for Arteta is between Odegaard and Merino, as Rice can’t be dropped, and Zubimendi is the holding midfielder. Odegaard’s form last year wasn’t great, and so many would start to believe that Arteta could start Merino over the Gunnners’ captain on a regular basis, although that would be a bold call from the Arsenal boss.
Who should Mikel Arteta start in midfield? #AFC #Arsenal #arsenalfans
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Otherwise, he could consider changing formation to allow more bodies in midfield, but this would likely lead to a three-at-the-back formation, something that his Arsenal side have never tried, and likely never will. So, it gives the manager a lot to think about heading into their next game back after the international break against Nottingham Forest…Odegaard or Merino?
Click here to see Arsenal’s first team squad ahead of the Forest game.