Mikel Merino is one of the options available to Arsenal to replace the injured Kai Havertz as Premier League football returns this weekend
Mikel Merino celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Croatia and Spain.
Mikel Merino scored a brace for Spain to turn the game around vs Croatia. (Image: Sanjin Strukic/Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Arsenal’s Mikel Merino has sent a clear message to manager Mikel Arteta ahead of the return of the Premier League this weekend. The Spaniard is one of several players away with his national team over the international break.
The extended three-week break has dealt an injury blow to the Gunners. It was confirmed last week that forward Kai Havertz had returned to Arsenal after suffering a hamstring injury during Germany’s Nations League clash against the Netherlands.
Havertz is Arteta’s first-choice striker. With him expected to be unavailable for the Premier League clash against Leeds on Saturday’s early kick-off, it means that the Arsenal boss has a decision to make over who plays up front.
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While more naturally a midfielder, Merino has been turned to by Arsenal to fill in as a striker in the past. With his style similar to that of Havertz, it could be that he’s turned to again this time around.
Just a few days before the game at the Emirates Stadium, Merino has proven that he is both fit and in goalscoring form. The 30-year-old started Spain’s Nations League match against Croatia on the bench on Tuesday night.
But with the World Champions 1-0 down at half time, he was turned to. He repaid that faith by scoring Spain’s equaliser in the 61st minute.
Merino then completed the turnaround in the 88th minute. In one move, he took the ball on the turn before putting a left-footed shot beyond the goalkeeper.
It’s not certain that Merino will be Arsenal’s replacement for Havertz for the duration of his injury, however long that may be. He has competition from Viktor Gyokeres.
The striker has also been away on international duty, representing Sweden in the Nations League. He started all four of the nation’s games, scoring in each.
Viktor Gyokeres celebrates during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Romania and Sweden.
Viktor Gyokeres has scored in all four of Sweden's games over the international break.(Image: Vasile Mihai-Antonio/Getty Images)
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It means that he will also be feeling high on confidence and sharp in front of goal. However, while he has been scoring and performing well for his national side, it feels like Gyokeres has still not fully clicked in Arteta’s Arsenal system since his move from Sporting CP just over a year ago.
It therefore feels like Arteta may be leaning towards picking Merino, so there is less of a tactical transition, and the team will be able to keep playing in a way not too different from how they play when Havertz is in the team. It may just give the midfielder the edge over his teammate.
The thing Arteta will be sure of is that having two options return to the Emirates Stadium in good form and full of confidence can only be a good headache to have.