Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino earned high praise for his performance for Spain on international duty.
The summer signing returned to the national team following his spell on the sidelines through injury, featuring against both Denmark and Serbia.
Merino was on duty with David Raya for Spain, with both of the Arsenal stars impressing during the October break.
Mikel Arteta will be relieved to have the duo return to Colney unscathed although, Merino will be carrying one thing back to North London.
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Marc Cucurella gives Arsenal star Mikel Merino a new nickname
The September international break was tough for Merino, who was forced to sit out the action as he nursed an injury.
On his first training session with Arsenal, the summer signing broke his collarbone after a collision with Gabriel Magalhaes, seeing him have to wait for his debut.
Prior to the international break, Merino made two appearances for his new club before returning to action with the Euro 2024 champions.
Fortunately, the Spaniard did not bring an injury back to the Emirates, but he did bring with him a new nickname, given to him by a familiar face in the Premier League.
Reacting to Spain’s win over Serbia on Instagram, Merino wrote, ‘Perfect concentration and team leaders, let’s keep trying to make history’.
The Arsenal midfielder’s comments were flooded with congratulations over his performance, seeing Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella brand the 28-year-old, ‘the philosopher’.
Merino played 65 minutes of Spain’s win, giving those back in North London a further glimpse of what he can offer Arteta’s project.
November can be decisive for Merino
After having to wait patiently to make his mark at Arsenal, Merino will be relieved to have returned to fitness.
Arteta utilised the midfielder from the bench against both Paris Saint-Germain and Southampton, giving the manager something to think about in the challenges ahead.
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Thomas Partey has impressed in Merino’s absence, giving the boss something of a selection headache regarding his central midfielders, with the Spain international needing to prove himself to usurp the Ghanaian.
It’s a positive situation for Arsenal, who have two in-form players ready to battle for a starting spot, emphasising the importance of the upcoming fixtures with reference to Merino’s task to announce himself at the Emirates.
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