‘Bellingham got Ballon d’Or shouts for this’ – Arsenal fans are all saying the same thing after Mikel Merino’s latest goal

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Mikel Merino’s fine goal-scoring form continued on Thursday night, as the Arsenal star netted a late equaliser for Spain against the Netherlands.

Introduced from the bench in the 84th minute, Merino pounced on a shot parried by Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen inside the box, slotting home to give Luis de la Fuente’s men hope ahead of the second-leg of the Nations League tie on Sunday.

Kai Havertz is out for the season with a hamstring injury, while Gabriel Jesus will also be sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

These injuries have meant that Arsenal have had to use Merino as a striker in the last month or so, and the midfielder is starting to show that he can perform in the role to a relatively high level.

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Arsenal fans react to Mikel Merino’s goal for Spain

Spanish media were raving about Meirno’s impact off the bench against the Netherlands, and understandably so.

Just like he did against Germany in the Euros, the former Real Sociedad man popped up with a crucial late goal, showing his aptitude for producing in high leverage moments.

The nation’s publications weren’t the only ones basking in the glory of the player, with Arsenal fans taking to social media to wax lyrical about Merino’s growing presence inside the box.

One fan wrote on X: “Merino unironically a better striker than [Alvaro] Morata.”

Another added: “Football is about confidence and rhythm and now Mikel Merino is playing regularly for Arsenal, he can’t stop scoring. There’s a much better player there than what we’ve seen this season.”

One supporter went a step further, writing: “Arteta seeing the clutch gene that Merino possesses, shows his brilliance. He scores for Spain. He scores for Arsenal. He scores in the Premier League. He scores in the Champions League. Mikel has unlocked a CM into one of the most lethal strikers on the planet. Generational.”

Meanwhile, one fan claimed: “Bellingham got Ballon d’Or shouts for doing what Mikel Merino is doing better…”

Finally, a Spain fan chimed in, writing: “Don Mikel Merino Zazón, a footballer of important moments.”

Mikel Merino’s statistics vs Netherlands

Only granted a short cameo by De la Fuente, Merino still managed to impress in his limited minutes on the pitch.

Aside from delivering the match-defining moment, he was steady in possession, completing six out of seven passes, and looked to break into the box at every opportunity.

Mikel Arteta will hope he can see a continuation of the predatory instincts he saw on display in Rotterdam last night.

With Havertz and Jesus sidelined, it’s likely that Merino will play up front in almost every game for the Gunners between now and the end of the season.