Mikel Merino of Spain reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Spain and Czechia at Carlos Tartiere on October 03, 2...
OVIEDO, SPAIN - OCTOBER 03: Mikel Merino of Spain reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Spain and Czechia at Carlos Tartiere on October 03, 2026 in Oviedo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Mikel Merino has been hailed in Spain after another decisive display, with the Arsenal midfielder earning a new nickname for his international impact.
OVIEDO, SPAIN - OCTOBER 03: Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Spain and Czechia at Carlos Tartiere on October 03, 2026 in Oviedo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
OVIEDO, SPAIN - OCTOBER 03: Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Spain and Czechia at Carlos Tartiere on October 03, 2026 in Oviedo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Mikel Merino has been hailed in the Spanish press as the national team’s “official rescuer” after another decisive contribution from the Arsenal midfielder.
La Voz de Galicia described Merino as the player Spain turn to when a game begins to slip away, after he came off the bench against Croatia and scored twice to complete the turnaround.
“If something goes wrong, go to Mikel Merino. He’ll figure it out” they write.
The assessment reflected another influential appearance from a player who has repeatedly produced important goals for Luis de la Fuente, despite rarely being a starter.
La Voz de Galicia7 Oct 2026IVAN ANTELO
Against Croatia, Merino was introduced in the second half with Spain behind and scored both goals to rescue the game.
The Spanish newspaper pointed out that the pattern is a familiar one.
Merino had already scored against the Czech Republic on Saturday, netting the goal that settled the game when Spain were under pressure at 2-1.
As we know at Arsenal, his reputation for decisive goals stretches much further back.
At Euro 2024, Merino scored the header in the 119th minute that eliminated Germany.
STUTTGART, GERMANY - JULY 05: Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates scoring his team's second goal by running around the corner flag to recreate a celebration his father, Angel Merino, did in the same stadium 33 years earlier during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
STUTTGART, GERMANY - JULY 05: Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates scoring his team's second goal by running around the corner flag to recreate a celebration his father, Angel Merino, did in the same stadium 33 years earlier during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
A year later, he scored the goal that helped Spain eliminate the Netherlands in the Nations League quarter-finals.
At the most recent World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Merino again delivered in the knockout stages, scoring decisive goals against Portugal and Belgium.
Those goals have helped establish his reputation as one of Spain’s most reliable players when matches reach their most difficult stages.
His contribution against Croatia also helped extend Spain’s unbeaten run, which stretches back to March 22, 2024, when they lost 1-0 to Colombia in a friendly.
To find Spain’s last competitive defeat, you have to go back even longer, against Scotland on March 28, 2023, when Scott McTominay scored twice in a 2-0 victory.
The Croatia result took Spain to 43 competitive matches without defeat, with Merino once again central to preserving the run.
OVIEDO, SPAIN - OCTOBER 03: Mikel Merino of Spain scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Spain and Czechia at Carlos Tartiere on October 03, 2026 in Oviedo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
OVIEDO, SPAIN - OCTOBER 03: Mikel Merino of Spain scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Spain and Czechia at Carlos Tartiere on October 03, 2026 in Oviedo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
He now has 15 goals for Spain, with six assists, in 55 games but only 22 starts.
It’s all made even more impressive when you realise Merino’s first goal for Spain didn’t come until 2023 and he’s scored 15 since then in just 44 games since.
He has scored against Germany, Netherlands, France, Portugal, Belgium and a host of others, including a hattrick against Turkiye.
For his club, the midfielder has scored 16, with four of those winning goals. The Gunners have lost only once when he has found the back of the net.
Had he not suffered a rare foot injury at the start of the year, there is every reason to believe Arsenal would have won the title last season much earlier than they did.
Unai Simón was also singled out for praise after making a series of important saves during the more difficult moments of the match.
He returned as expected to the starting lineup after David Raya was handed the shirt in their last game.
OVIEDO, SPAIN - OCTOBER 03: Mikel Merino of Spain looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Spain and Czechia at Carlos Tartiere on October 03, 2026 in Oviedo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
OVIEDO, SPAIN - OCTOBER 03: Mikel Merino of Spain looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Spain and Czechia at Carlos Tartiere on October 03, 2026 in Oviedo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)