The Arsenal midfielder came off the bench to score in Spain's 3-1 win over Czechia but is still waiting for his first start of the Nations League campaign.
Mikel Merino came off the bench to score Spain’s third goal against Czechia on Saturday, his latest contribution without being given a start by Luis de la Fuente.
The Arsenal midfielder has been a substitute in all three of Spain’s Nations League games during the international break, following a World Cup-winning campaign in which he made just one start. Merino got only the closing minutes of the 3-2 victory over England at Wembley, played the final half-hour against Croatia and was introduced after 67 minutes in Oviedo, where he grabbed an assist.
This time he managed one step further, scoring in his cameo against the Czech Republic. Víctor Muñoz carried the ball into the Czech Republic’s area late on and saw his shot saved, with Merino following the attack and putting away the rebound to complete a 3-1 win.
Asked afterwards about not starting any of the three matches, Merino acknowledged that it had been difficult.
“Well, yes. I mean, I try to preach that that is the correct attitude, right? Of course, sometimes it’s hard when you rack up matches without playing, because you always have that competitive side where you want to be a starter, right? And you know you can contribute, and on top of that, when you come on, you feel you do well, but well, there’s nothing left to do but support the team, which is the most important thing; it’s the priority, and that is the example that everyone gives in this locker room.”
There has at least been a familiar outcome when Merino has been asked to make an impact late in games for Spain.
Two of Spain’s most important goals of the summer came from his contribution from the bench. He scored in stoppage time to knock Portugal out of the World Cup in the last 16, then was introduced in the 86th minute of the quarter-final against Belgium and scored the winner two minutes later. Spain went on to lift the trophy.
![Although Merino may have not been a regular starter for Spain, he played a key role in Spain's World Cup run. [IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters]](https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/556326e9-897b-4023-babf-84a89294f9b4.jpeg)
Although Merino may have not been a regular starter for Spain, he played a key role in Spain's World Cup run. [IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters]Merino has never needed to be treated as a forward to find goals. Arsenal saw plenty of that before the World Cup, including the period when injuries left Mikel Arteta using him at centre-forward. He was still leading the line when he scored Arsenal’s third against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final in 2025.
Last season brought another four Premier League goals as Arsenal won the title. Martin Zubimendi’s arrival also meant another Spain teammate joining the midfield options already available to Arteta, alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Merino had spoken about the less obvious parts of his role before the question about being left out of the starting XI even arrived.
“Well, sometimes I do fail? Let that be clear. But well, I try not to fail on or off the pitch, to be with my teammates, to encourage them. Sometimes I will, as I said before, contribute with goals or assists, as I’ve had to lately, and other times it will be in training, pushing people, contributing from the bench, cheering them on. The important thing is, like you say, to never fail.”
The goals have inevitably attracted more attention. Merino has now scored 12 times in 53 senior appearances for Spain, with much of that return arriving relatively late in his international career. He was also Spain’s joint-leading scorer during World Cup qualifying before becoming an important goalscorer during the tournament itself.
Saturday’s finish was another of the late runs which have become a regular part of his game. Merino had little idea what had happened behind him as the move developed. He saw Muñoz going forward and concentrated on getting into the box.
“Well, if I tell you the truth, I lived it without knowing much; simply running forward, knowing Víctor was very fast, trying to get to the box as soon as possible and trusting that that ball, well, surely after a rebound more than a pass, would reach me, and that’s how it was.”
Spain’s midfield competition is still full of talent. Rodri, Pedri, Fabián Ruiz and Zubimendi are all in De la Fuente’s squad, seeing Merino continuously asked to contribute from the bench.
He did that again in Oviedo, while making it clear he would rather be starting.
Spain travel to Split to face Croatia on Tuesday for their final Nations League match before the end of the international break. Merino will return to the Gunners ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Leeds United at the Emirates.
