'Wants to play' - Mikel Arteta warned that £28m Arsenal star could demand transfer exit

Mikel Arteta has been given a warning (Picture: Getty)

Mikel Arteta has been warned that Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino may seek a transfer exit after winning the World Cup with Spain this summer.

Merino played a pivotal role off the bench for La Roja, scoring match-winning goals against Portugal and Belgium to help guide his nation to their second World Cup trophy.

The Spaniard will return to Arsenal in the coming weeks as the Gunners ramp up preparations to begin the defence of their Premier League title.

Merino has emerged as a versatile option for Arsenal since his arrival from Real Sociedad for £28million in 2024, deployed as a midfielder but also a makeshift striker.

An ankle injury in January brought his league season to a premature end last time out, with the Spaniard making only 10 starts and 12 further cameos from the bench.

And former Spanish midfielder Gaizka Mendieta believes Merino may start to consider a move away from the Emirates if he doesn’t start more games next season.

‘Mikel Merino will not enjoy being a bench player at Arsenal,’ he told BetVictor . ‘It works in the national team because of his specific role and recent goals, which makes things easier for everyone.

Mikel Merino helped Spain win the World Cup (Picture: Getty)

‘However, he is an ambitious player who wants to be in the starting lineup. If he isn’t, he may look elsewhere.

‘The national team is different, with roles for players like Oyarzabal or Borja Iglesias. In a club setting, you don’t want to be the 12th man who only comes on when goals are needed. He wants to play regularly.’

Speaking over the World Cup, Merino insisted that he remained ‘happy’ at Arsenal and was not looking too far into the future.

Arteta has used Merino as a midfielder and makeshift striker (Picture: Getty)

‘I’m calm, I’m happy there, they make me feel as part of the family at the club,’ he told COPE .

‘I’m not thinking much more than that. I’m old, so I’m making the most of every day and not looking beyond that.’

Asked how he deals with often being a substitute for club and country, the midfielder added: ‘Well, it’s as best we can. We’re all competitive, and if we’re at the top, it’s because we’re people who know they’re very good and can contribute at any time.

‘We all see ourselves as starters in our minds; it’s another thing entirely how we accept the role we’re given. If you’re going to complain about being a substitute, this isn’t the team for you, and it’s not your national team.

‘That’s why it’s considered an exemplary squad, because it’s very difficult to be here, to be a substitute, or to get a few minutes and perform as well as the players who come on.’

Merino could well find himself facing more competition for minutes at club level, with Arsenal keen to bolster their midfield options over the summer transfer window.

The Gunners had an approach for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott turned down in June, and are still exploring a deal for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes .

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