Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has described Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino as 'one of the best in the world' and said it was an 'honour' to coach him. The praise follows Merino's match-winning performance as the World Cup holders came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1, with the 30-year-old scoring twice after coming off the bench.
Super-sub record continues
Merino has now scored five goals in his last eight appearances for Spain, all of which have come as a substitute. He also netted off the bench in Spain's 3-1 win over Czechia last weekend.
De la Fuente said he hopes Spanish fans will come to appreciate the midfielder's knack of winning games from the bench.
'In another country he would be more appreciated'
'It's an honour to coach a player like that,' De la Fuente said of Merino. 'He has made it absolutely clear why I would have carried him in my arms to the World Cup.'
'In another country he would be more appreciated — I hope that changes. I hope more will be done. Merino is one of the best in the world in his position. He has the class to play in any team and can always play, obviously. He knows how to understand these moments of the match. He has that gift that is the sense of the goal, for important goals, too.'
Speaking after his brace, Merino admitted to feeling frustrated by his lack of starts for the national team. 'I'm very happy to be able to help the team, another game in which it was my turn to score from the bench,' he told TVE. 'I'll go out there with the best possible attitude even while frustrated about not being able to play more… but this team is a family and that always shows.'
Arsenal starting spot in sight
Merino will hope his goalscoring form during the international break helps him force his way into Mikel Arteta's starting lineup. The 30-year-old is yet to start a league match for Arsenal this season, but he did score when starting in the 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Ipswich Town.
With Kai Havertz a doubt after injuring his hamstring while with Germany, former Premier League striker Darren Bent suggested Arteta might consider starting Merino rather than Viktor Gyokeres against Leeds United on Saturday.
'Both Merino and Havertz are so much better than Merino with their back to goal; they link better with Odegaard and Saka, so that's the problem that you've got,' Bent told talkSPORT. 'Gyokeres wants to run in behind and use your attributes – your pace and power – to get in behind and on the end of things and Arsenal just don't play that way. So it's no given that he starts up top this weekend because Merino could as well.'
