Mikel Merino’s stunning form ignites tactical debates at Arsenal. Merino’s incredible hat-trick has been phenomenal on the international front. It is sure to produce a reverberating effect through international football. It has also raised some significant tactical debates among Arsenal fans and pundits. His goalscoring ability is making some people redirect their momentum toward his role with the club and some fans are even calling for a significant shift in Arteta’s system.
International Brilliance and Form
In Mikel Merino’s stunning performance against Turkey he scored three goals. One being a 25-yard curling effort, which was his first career hat trick. He has a total of six goals in his last seven appearances for Spain. This prolific goalscoring from a traditionally defensive midfielder has received high praise from Spain manager Luis de la Fuente. He called him a “genius“, while asserting he’s a “world-class player” who deserves to be recognized.
Mikel Merino became the highest-scoring European midfielder at international level this year after scoring 3 against Turkey.
He then posted a pic of his hattrick ball on IG 🥶 pic.twitter.com/pQr94KKpWQ
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 8, 2025
Arsenal’s Tactical Conundrum
The stunning form of the 29-year-old has obviously affected the conversations surrounding Arsenal’s formation. Arteta usually employs a 4-3-3 structure and plays Merino in midfield. However, Merino’s well-documented finishing ability has encouraged many fans to suggest a tactical change to a 4-4-2 structure, with Merino playing a more advanced role, anticipating his co-usage alongside summer signing Gyokeres to be his best appointment to exploit maximum threat in the final third.
Merino’s goalscoring transformation is particularly intriguing given his history. During a nasty injury crisis last season, he was used as an emergency striker, releasing a new level to his game. Since 15 February, he has scored thirteen times for club and country, and in that time he has noticeably improved his movement, positioning and composure in the box.
Mikel Merino's game by numbers vs. Turkey:
59 touches
5 passes into final third
4 touches in opp. box
4 ball recoveries
4 duels won
3/4 shots on target
3 goals
Ran the show. 💪 pic.twitter.com/YwJjZF4wwK
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) September 7, 2025
Internal Competition and Future Role
But while that is undoubtedly exciting, he can’t be complacent. With Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi both in the squad it won’t be easy to earn his place in midfield. Plus the emergence of the young talent Ethan Nwaneri, who Mikel Arteta has already equated to a young Jack Wilshere at times, could threaten him for minutes in the ‘#10’ role as well.
With several consecutive matches approaching quickly, Merino’s dual ability to play at both midfield and attacking can provide Arteta with an interesting tactical option, that will enable the manager to pick and choose how he wants to deploy Merino in a crowded fixture-list, but whether or not this is a permanent shift to his role only time will tell. Mikel Merino has shown that he is not merely a workmanlike midfielder.