Mikel Merino celebrates with Martin Zubimendi in Arsenal’s preseason friendly vs. Newcastle
Arsenal expert Charles Watts has earned praise from Mikel Merino for his outstanding performance in Spain’s victory over Turkey.
The 29-year-old scored a hat-trick in his country, showing that he is an underrated talent worthy of more playing time at Arsenal.
Still, Watts, he writes exclusively Catch off side The column said Merino probably won’t play a regular role on Mikel Arteta’s part.
Merino plays as a midfielder and makeshift striker during his time with the gunners, and Watts feels that the latter is probably the best for him.
Merino has played mostly midfield throughout his career, but Watts doesn’t see him as fitting for how Arteta tends to play.
Will Mikel Merino play more for Arsenal after the success of Spain?
Regarding Merino’s role at Arsenal, Watts said:
“What an extraordinary hat-trick for Spain with a 6-0 victory in Turkey. All the finishes were fantastic and perfectly showed him his impressive ability to find the net when in and around the penalty area.”
He added: “I think he’s an underrated player and has received a lot of unfair criticism. Many people mistakenly view him as a defensive player and saw it in response to including him in the start XI at Anfield before an international break.
“Like others, I would have preferred to see someone like Ebeki Eze playing against Liverpool that day. Playing Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi and Merino felt like a conservative option in terms of creativity from the middle, but he definitely offers a serious goal threat.
“When it comes to Arsenal, his biggest problem is he doesn’t make it clear exactly what type of player he is in terms of the system played by Mikel Arteta.
“When he was chosen in the middle, we rarely see him drift into the type of space so that we can get the kind of possibility we saw him finish very well against Turkey.
“So, if Arteta wants to make the most of him, he will have to find a role to give him a little more freedom in and around the box.
“The reality is, unless he’s used to being a striker, I don’t really have that happen, but if everyone is healthy, I don’t think Merino is the regular starter for this team.”