De la Fuente: Merino is 'one of the best in the world' in his position

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Mikel Merino cannot stop scoring for Spain, and his national team manager wants the wider football world to take notice. Luis de la Fuente hailed the Arsenal midfielder as 'one of the best in the world in his position' after another match-winning cameo off the bench.

Merino came on against Croatia and scored twice as Spain fought back from behind to win 2-1, continuing a remarkable run of form as a substitute for the World Cup winners. It followed a goal in last weekend's 3-1 victory over Czechia, meaning Merino now has five goals in his last eight Spain appearances — all of them coming after starting on the bench.

De la Fuente's glowing praise

Speaking after the win over Croatia, De la Fuente made no attempt to hide his admiration for the 30-year-old. 'It's an honour to coach a player like that,' he said. '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.'

Merino himself admitted to mixed emotions after the brace, happy to deliver for his country but candid about his frustration at a lack of starts. '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.'

What it means for Arsenal

Merino is yet to start a Premier League match for Arsenal this season, though he did score in the 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Ipswich Town. His red-hot form on the international stage comes at a notable moment, with Kai Havertz a doubt for Saturday's clash with Leeds United after picking up a hamstring injury on international duty with Germany.

Former Premier League striker Darren Bent believes the Havertz situation could open the door for Merino to start ahead of Viktor Gyokeres. 'Both Merino and Havertz are so much better than Gyokeres with their back to goal; they link better with Odegaard and Saka, so that's the problem that you've got,' he 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.'

Whether Mikel Arteta turns to Merino against Leeds remains to be seen, but the Spaniard has given his manager plenty to think about heading into the weekend.