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Arsenal star Mikel Merino hailed as ‘one of the best’ by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente
Oct 08 2026 15:17 · By Ben Fleming · 6 Reads
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente (Picture: Getty)
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said it was an ‘honour’ to coach Mikel Merino as he labelled the Arsenal midfielder ‘one of the best in the world’.
Merino continued his remarkable goalscoring record for Spain, coming off the bench to net twice as the World Cup winners came from behind to win 2-1 against Croatia.
The 30-year-old, who also scored off the bench in Spain’s 3-1 win over Czechia last weekend, has five goals in his last eight appearances for La Roja, which have all come as a substitute.
And De La Fuente is keen to see the Arsenal midfielder get more appreciation from Spanish fans for his consistent knack of winning games off the bench.
‘It’s an honour to coach a player like that,’ De la Fuente said of Merino.
‘He has made it absolutely clear why I would have carried him in my arms to the World Cup.
‘In another country he would be more appreciated — I hope that changes.
Mikel Merino scored both goals as Spain beat Croatia (Picture: AFP)
‘I hope more will be done. Merino is one of the best in the world in his position.
‘He has the class to play in any team and can always play, obviously. He knows how to understand these moments of the match.
‘He has that gift that is the sense of the goal, for important goals, too.’
Speaking after his match-winning brace, Merino admitted to getting frustrated by his lack of starts for the national team.
‘I’m very happy to be able to help the team, another game in which it was my turn to score from the bench,’ Merino told TVE.
Merino ist maximal underrated #nationsleague #daznmoment pic.twitter.com/KKQdB2Dizd— DAZN DE (@DAZN_DE) October 6, 2026
‘I’ll go out there with the best possible attitude even while frustrated about not being able to play more… but this team is a family and that always shows.’
Merino will hope that his goalscoring form over the international break can help force his way into Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup in the coming weeks.
The 30-year-old is yet to start a league match for the Gunners this season, but did score when starting in the 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Ipswich Town.