Mikel Merino says ‘special’ Arsenal player should ‘absolutely’ start for his country at the World Cup

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Mikel Merino has backed an Arsenal teammate to start for his team at this summer’s World Cup.

A number of Arsenal players are expected to feature across several nations following their Premier League title win.

Should be selected, Merino will be representing Spain, along with teammates Martin Zubimendi and David Raya — two shoo-ins for the squad set to be announced on Monday.

Speaking on El Larguero, the Arsenal midfielder was asked about the Spanish goalkeeping situation ahead of Luis De La Fuente’s squad announcement.

Who is the better goalkeeper right now – Joan Garcia or David Raya?

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Unsurprisingly, Merino is backing Raya to be the starting number one in North America.

“In my case, I’ve spent a lot of time with all the goalkeepers, and obviously I have a special affection for David,” he said.

“With David this year, winning three Golden Gloves, it’s something historic in the Premier League, and he’s having the kind of season that absolutely deserves him being the starter.

“There’s the level of the three goalkeepers, which is extremely high. Luis has a difficult decision there that I definitely wouldn’t want for myself, and well, he’ll decide in the best way possible.

“But without any doubt, the goalkeeping position is in very good hands.”

David Raya’s case for Spain number one has never been stronger

Mikel Merino’s comments on Raya echo a large proportion of the footballing world, who can’t understand how the Arsenal stopper isn’t the undisputed number one.

The Spain manager himself called it ‘unfair’ that Raya is not ‘widely recognised’ and named him one of the five best goalkeepers in the world.

Others have gone further, with Jamie Carragher labelling him the best goalkeeper in England off the back of his performances this season.

Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira even thinks Raya should win the Premier League Player of the Season award ahead of teammate Declan Rice and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes.

And the numbers back it up too. With 19 clean sheets in the Premier League, he has won the Golden Glove for the third consecutive season.

De La Fuente announces his squad on Monday. If those closest to Raya, including his own Spain manager and now his club teammate, are this emphatic in their support, it is hard to see how he does not start.