Mikel Merino of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich,...
Mikel Merino of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has admitted that Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard gave him a selection problem over the weekend, having both played so well over the international break.
Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Arsenal midfield duo Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard were both in great form over the September-October international break, each providing four goal contributions in four games.
Merino provided an assist in Spain’s home game against Croatia, then scored at home to Czechia, before scoring twice in the away match in Croatia. The only appearance he didn’t score or assist in was his eight-minute cameo in the win over England.
Then Odegaard provided two assists at home to Denmark, one away to Wales, and one more away to Portugal. Both returned to Arsenal seemingly ready to make an 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 Arteta could only pick one, and he ended up opting for Odegaard, bringing Merino off the bench late in the game. Reflecting on the decision afterwards, the manager admitted it wasn’t an easy call.
“Mikel [Merino] has scored two goals with the national team and the sensation is he deserves to play as well,” Arteta said. “But Martin [Odegaard] has been exceptional, and that’s the situation.
“The best way is when they have the chance, prove it, and then everybody’s going to be happy.”
Martin Odegaard of Norway reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Norway and Portugal at Ullevaal Stadion on September 27, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Marius Nordnes / Nordnes Foto/Getty Images)
Martin Odegaard of Norway reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Norway and Portugal at Ullevaal Stadion on September 27, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Marius Nordnes / Nordnes Foto/Getty Images)
Arsenal have more than enough games over the next month to give everyone an opportunity. There won’t be a single free weekend or midweek for the remainder of the month.
The Gunners will host Lille OSC on Tuesday, before away games against Nottingham Forest and Bayern Munich. The team will then return home against Everton, before playing away in the League Cup against Fleetwood Town the following midweek.
With Odegaard playing every minute of the international break, he’ll need a break at some point. As Arteta suggests, that will be Merino’s opportunity to prove he deserves his chance.
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)