One Arsenal star has been praised by Manchester City's Rodri and Mikel Arteta looks set to benefit during the 2026/27 season
11:24, 07 Jul 2026Updated 11:28, 07 Jul 2026
Mikel Arteta and Mikel Merino
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Mikel Arteta will be hoping Mikel Merino can stay fit and have a major say in Arsenal's 2026/27 season (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal star Mikel Merino says he is "enjoying one of the happiest moments of my career" after scoring the winner for Spain against Portugal at the World Cup.
The 30-year-old came off the bench in Dallas and scored a stoppage-time winner to earn Spain a 1-0 win. His country will now play Belgium in the quarter-final on Friday at 8pm UK time.
The strike was Merino's first goal at the tournament, although he has played a part in all five of Spain's games so far, mostly making an impact off the bench. For the Arsenal man, he is just happy to be playing for his country again after fracturing his foot in January, an injury which required surgery and meant he was out of action for four months.
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"A terrible relief. The fact that I am standing here when just a few months ago it was unthinkable... and now I am, as I said before, at the very top. I'm enjoying one of the happiest moments of my career," Merino said after Spain's win over Portugal.
"Right now, I remember all those bad moments, all the people who have been supporting me, everyone who kept pushing me when even I found it hard to believe I could be here. It makes every day of effort and every moment of doubt worth it. Now, everything makes sense."
For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, they will be hoping Merino has a successful World Cup and comes back to north London fit and ready to go for the 2026/27 season. The midfielder scored six goals and contributed three assists in 34 appearances last campaign and is seen as a valuable squad player.
Man City star Rodri even praised Merino for his impact and importance to the team. "Look, for me, he is a sensational player. Sensational in every sense of the word," the Spaniard said.
"He's a player who knows how to play from the start, and he knows how to come on later in the game. He is a player I absolutely love. He has that capacity—which very few players possess—to show up in the most important moments.
"Today he did it again, just like he did against Germany in the quarter-finals of the Euros. So yes, let's vindicate him, because often the players who come off the bench don't get as much credit, but what he does is impressive."
Arteta has described the substitutes who come off the bench as 'finishers' and believes they are just as important as the players who start matches. Merino, who can play in midfield or as an emergency striker, has constantly shown he can have an impact both from the start and when brought on.
There's no doubt that, if the Spaniard stays fit, he could have a major say in the success his club and country have in the weeks, months and years ahead.
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