From left to right: Pedri, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard - all pics: Getty
From left to right: Pedri, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard - all pics: Getty
Midfeilder Mikel Merino explained why he would pick his Spain teammate Pedri over Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, ahead of La Roja's 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final with France tonight (July 14) at Dallas Stadium, Arlington.
Both Pedri and Merino came off the bench in the second half as La Roja beat Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-final on Friday (July 10), with Merino's late winner sending Luis de la Fuente's side through to a last-four clash with Les Bleus.
Meanwhile. Didier Deschamps' side are coming off a 2-0 victory over African champions Morocco in the last eight. Captain Kylian Mbappe and attacker Ousmane Dembele scored in the second half to make it six straight wins at the World Cup, sealing a place in the last four.
When asked to pick between Pedri and Odegaard, Merino said (as per Daily AFC) that he would choose the former because if he didn't, he could be 'smacked'.
"l'll say Pedri ... because he's right here, and he'll smack me if I don't."
Odegaard's Norway have had a memorable campaign, reaching their first-ever FIFA World Cup quarter-final by beating five-time champions Brazil, thanks to an Erling Haaland double.
However, the Vikings' inspired run ended with a 2-1 extra time defeat to England on Saturday (July 11), with Haaland enduring a quiet night after scoring seven times in his opening four games.
How many Arsenal players are still there at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
JUL 11 FIFA World Cup 26 Quarter-Final - Norway vs England - Source: Getty
JUL 11 FIFA World Cup 26 Quarter-Final - Norway vs England - Source: Getty
Arsenal remain well represented despite the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada entering the last-four stage. While captain Martin Odegaard is no longer involved in the competition, eight of his teammates are active with three different teams as they vie for the title.
England have the largest Gunners contingent of four players - Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke - as they take on holders Argentina tomorrow (July 15) at Atlanta in the second semi-final.
Meanwhile, the Arsenal trio of Mikel Merino, David Raya and Martin Zubimendi will look to help Spain get past two-time winners France in the first semi-final tonight in Dallas as La Roja seek a second European Championship-World Cup double.