Gaizka Mendieta don talk say Mikel Merino go need to leave Arsenal if e no fit cement im place for starting lineup. The Spain international don become super sub for both club and country, as im contributions from bench don prove crucial for successful season.
Merino go return to London Colney as World Cup winner after e help Luis de la Fuente side beat Argentina 1-0. The 30-year-old score winners against Portugal and Belgium for knockout matches, coming off bench to decide games.
For Arsenal, Merino show im versatility for Mikel Arteta, playing as midfielder and striker before ankle injury cut im role for Premier League win. E score four goals and provide three assists for 22 top-flight appearances.
But Mendieta, former Spain and Barcelona star, believe say Merino need to leave if e want be first-team starter. E tell press say: “Mikel Merino no go enjoy being bench player for Arsenal. For national team, im role dey work because of specific job and recent goals. But e be ambitious player wey want start. If e no dey start, e fit look elsewhere.”
Mendieta add say: “For club, you no want be 12th man wey only come when goals needed. You want play regularly.”
Merino sign long-term deal for North London after £31 million move from Real Sociedad for 2024. E show im importance to Arsenal and Arteta for early stages of im Gunners career. Im move into role as focal point and become match-winner, notably scoring brace for Arsenal 2-0 win at Leicester City.
Arteta talk at that time: “I no think about am, to be fair. I tell am morning of game say e fit play there if game need am. E win game for us. Mikel get that quality. E fit smell danger, anticipate action, and get timing to arrive for areas. And e fit execute with different parts of body.”
