Mikel Merino just became the fourth Arsenal player to complete wild Premier League feat, Mikel Arteta has done it

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Mikel Merino had a history-making outing at Anfield, as the Arsenal midfielder was the talk of Merseyside.

The summer signing scored his ninth goal of the 2024/25 campaign in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool. 

Merino has earned high praise for his versatility this season, acting as Mikel Arteta’s makeshift number nine to cope with Arsenal’s abysmal injury record.

Though the Spaniard found the net to score Arsenal’s equaliser against Liverpool, the 28-year-old left the pitch prematurely, as he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. 

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta must recall axed Arsenal star to replace Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard after red card and injury woes

Mikel Merino wrote himself into Arsenal history against Liverpool

Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes Andy Robertson should have been sent off against Arsenal, but it was Merino who ended the game as the only player to receive a red card. 

It was Arsenal’s sixth red card of the season, telling of where Arteta needs to improve next term, however, the midfielder’s dismissal wasn’t all bad.

That’s because the Spaniard wrote himself into Arsenal’s history, becoming only the fourth Gunner to complete a Premier League feat. 

Merino became the first Arsenal player to score and be sent off in the same game since 2020, when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was dismissed after scoring against Crystal Palace. 

The first time it happened was in 1996 when Ian Wright saw red after finding the net against Nottingham Forest, with Merino joining the Arsenal legend in the peculiar feat. 

Arteta will know the history behind the record more than most, as the Arsenal manager was the second player to score and be sent off for the Gunners in a Premier League match. 

What Mikel Arteta said about Merino’s red card

Against Crystal Palace in 2013, Arteta scored in a 2-0 win before being sent off, with few complaints over Merino’s mishap, having experienced a similar incident during his playing days. 

The boss did, however, comment on Merino’s dismissal, sharing a cryptic review of the incident when speaking to the media in his post-match press conference.

“I haven’t seen it on TV, to be fair. I know that Mikel goes to the ball, and he gets a little bit pushed, and after he reacts, it looks like he touches him, and he made the decision. So that’s it.”

Merino will be suspended for Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle at the Emirates but will return for the final game of the season, with a one-match ban the penalty for a double yellow offence.