Darren Bent says people aren’t saying enough about what £31m Arsenal star did against Newcastle

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Arsenal took a considerable step forward on matchday six of the Premier League season, beating Newcastle United 2-1.

Mikel Arteta was treated to a late three points by his players, who delivered in the dying embers at St James’ Park. 

For the first time in 39 years, Arsenal came from behind to beat Newcastle away from home, with the comeback starting in the 84th minute thanks to Mikel Merino. 

Though match-winner Gabriel Magalhaes will rightly earn all the plaudits, Darren Bent is eager to see more light shone on Merino. 

• READ MORE: Darren Bent says Arsenal may now have the modern-day version of Sylvain Wiltord in their squad

Darren Bent thinks Mikel Merino deserves more attention after his goal against Newcastle United

After spending the 2017/18 season on loan at Newcastle, Merino returned to St James’ Park to hand his former club a resounding blow.

Arteta called the Spaniard into action in the 70th minute, calling on the attackers on his bench to attempt to manipulate the scoreline in Arsenal’s favour.

Merino did just that, showing his scoring prowess once again, something that Bent drew attention to when speaking on talkSPORT. 

“Someone who’s turned into a key component for Arsenal, Mikel Merino,” Bent began.

“He always seems to pop up when Arsenal need somebody. He always seems to be there, whether it’s club or country.”

The Arsenal-supporting former Tottenham striker then called for Merino to get more attention for the way he scored the equaliser at St James’ Park.

“His header. I mean, not a lot has been spoken about the header because it is fantastic. He’s almost behind him, and he manages to generate power into that far corner.”

Merino got on the end of Declan Rice’s cross to convert the equaliser, taking a brief moment to celebrate before charging back to the halfway line.

Merino’s form reveals Arsenal’s weakness

Bent was right to draw attention to what Merino did in the final third against Newcastle.

It’s not only against the Magpies that the Spaniard has shown up to save his club, as the numbers since the start of 2025 support. 

Since the start of the year, no Arsenal player has scored more goals in the Premier League than Merino, who has scored seven times.

While it’s a cause for celebration for the midfielder, it’s one for concern for Arsenal, whose attacking players haven’t been able to keep up with the £31m signing. 

Arsenal, fortunately, addressed their source of goals in the summer by acquiring Viktor Gyokeres, who already has three Premier League goals to his name.

Merino’s form links back to Bent’s point, with the 29-year-old’s role in the Arsenal squad as important as any.