Mikel Merino celebrates with Martin Zubimendi in Arsenal’s pre-season pleasant vs Newcastle (Photograph via Yong Teck Lim/Getty Pictures)
Arsenal skilled Charles Watts has heaped reward into Mikel Merino for his excellent efficiency in Spain’s thumping victory over Turkey.
The 29-year-old scored a hat-trick for his nation, appearing that he’s an underrated ability who undoubtedly merits extra enjoying time at Arsenal.
Nonetheless, Watts, writing in his unique CaughtOffside column, mentioned that Merino almost certainly received’t have a normal function in Mikel Arteta’s facet.
Merino has performed in each midfield and as a makeshift striker right through his time with the Gunners, and Watts feels it’s almost certainly the latter that may constitute the most productive are compatible for him.
Even if Merino has most commonly performed in midfield all the way through his profession, Watts doesn’t reasonably see him as being the appropriate are compatible for a way Arteta has a tendency to play.
Can Mikel Merino play extra for Arsenal after Spain luck?
Discussing Merino’s function at Arsenal, Watts mentioned: “Several Arsenal players have caught the eye during the international break, but none more so than Mikel Merino.
Mikel Merino in action for Arsenal (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
“What an exceptional hat-trick that was for Spain in their 6-0 win in Turkey. All of the finishes were excellent and perfectly showcased his impressive ability to find the net when he’s in and around the penalty area.”
He added: “I do assume he’s an underrated participant and he will get numerous unfair grievance. Numerous other folks wrongly view him as a defensive participant and we noticed that within the response to his inclusion within the beginning XI at Anfield earlier than the world spoil.
“Like others, I might have most popular to have observed somebody like Eberechi Eze get started that day towards Liverpool. Taking part in Merino with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi did really feel just like the conservative possibility with regards to creativity from midfield, however there is not any doubt he gives a significant function danger. He’s simply very composed when he will get a sniff of an opportunity.
“I feel the largest factor with him in relation to Arsenal is it’s nonetheless no longer actually transparent precisely what form of participant he’s in relation to the device Mikel Arteta performs.
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“When he is picked in midfield we very rarely see him drift into the type of space that allows him to get the sort of chances we saw him finish so well against Turkey.
“So maybe if Arteta wants to get the best out of him he has to find a role that gives him a bit more freedom in and around the box.
“Realistically though I don’t really see that happening unless he gets used as a striker, which is why I don’t ever really see Merino being a regular starter in this team if everyone is fit.”
