Mikel Merino was in the wars during Arsenal’s draw with Everton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Arsenal were held to a stalemate against the Toffees, with Leandro Trossard’s first-half strike cancelled out by Iliman Ndiaye’s second-period penalty.
The Gunners pushed for a late winner but were unable to find it, moving Liverpool closer to securing the Premier League title.
Merino played the full 90 minutes in midfield for the North Londoners, and impressed, despite sustaining two separate knocks on the day.
Mikel Arteta provides Mikel Merino injury update for Arsenal
Merino has become an important part of Arsenal’s team in the last month or so, leading the line for the Gunners in the absence of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
The Spaniard has scored five goals as a striker, and will likely start the majority of games in this role between now and the end of the season.
However, he was deployed in his natural position as an eight at Goodison Park, and he reminded everyone of what he can bring to the table in this role.
He almost didn’t get the opportunity do this, though, as the Euro 2024 winner pulled up with an injury in the warm-up.
Merino then suffered a nasty bang to the head in a collision with Everton defender Jake O’Brien in the first half, which saw him play the rest of the game with a bandage wrapped around his cranium.
Speaking after the match, Mikel Arteta reassured Arsenal fans by confirming that the former Real Sociedad man will be available to face Real Madrid.
“(Merino) is fine, I just checked with the doctor,” the Gunners boss said.
“He had a cut, so he was bleeding quite a lot in the first half, then he started again, so overall he wasn’t feeling anything.”
Mikel Merino’s Statistics vs Everton
Awarded man of the match by FotMob, Merino delivered an astute display in midfield against David Moyes’ men.
Arsenal’s number 23 was reliable in possession, completing 84% of his passes, while he was the Gunners’ main threat inside the Everton box, breaching the Toffees’ back-line with effective late forward runs.
| Merino’s Statistics vs Everton | |
| Minutes Played | 90 |
| Accurate Passes | 26/31 (84%) |
| Shots | 2 |
| Touches | 48 |
| Touches in Opposition Box | 4 |
| Ground Duels Won | 6/8 (75%) |
| Aerial Duels Won | 8/9 (89%) |
However, what stood out about Merino’s display was his combativeness in the duels.
Winning 14 of his 16 total duels, the Spain international was the relentless physical presence in midfield that Arsenal needed, and this attribute could be vital in the Real Madrid tie.
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