'With Me They Don't Do This!' - Mikel Arteta on Merino and Gyökeres

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal return to action as they host Leeds United on Saturday afternoon, following an extended international break. 

Arsenal’s European contingent were tasked with playing four UEFA Nations League matches in under two weeks, and football associations across the continent are reportedly asking UEFA to scrap the recent change to the calendar, according to The Guardian.

Arsenal were the Premier League’s biggest victim to the harsh schedule, sustaining more injuries than any other side. Christos Tzolis, Ezri Konsa and Kai Havertz were amongst those who faced time in the treatment room. 

Others, though, including Viktor Gyökeres and Mikel Merino, enjoyed good form during the international break with their respective nations.

The Swedish striker became the first player in the competition’s history to score in six consecutive matches, before extending his record to seven just days later.

Gyökeres’ move from Sporting CP last summer was highly anticipated in north London, but the striker has since fallen behind Havertz in the pecking order.

He scored 21 goals in 55 matches donning red and white in all competitions last season, and has been an unused substitute in three of the seven games so far this campaign.

Mikel Merino was another who impressed internationally, he registered four goal involvements across the four games, including a brace in Spain’s 2-1 victory in Croatia.

In fact, the Arsenal boss claims he spoke to his compatriot before his decisive goals against Croatia, saying, ‘Before you came to Arsenal, I think you used to score one goal every 13 games for the national team. Since you have been here, you have scored one in every 93 minutes.’

Whilst he is naturally a midfielder, he has been deployed by Arteta as a makeshift striker during attacking absences, scoring 14 goals for Arsenal since his iconic brace at Leicester City in February 2025.

With Gyökeres and Merino producing such consistent output for their countries, many have questioned why they are unable to convert that form in an Arsenal shirt.

Speaking about the pair being unable to establish themselves as regular starters, Arteta laughed, ‘Well the first reaction is “What am I doing, with me they don’t do this”, or “They haven’t been given the opportunity to do this!”’

After a shock defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion before the break, where Fabian Hürzeler’s side scored three without reply from the visitors, the Gunners now have an opportunity to return to winning ways as Leeds United travel to north London.

Havertz faces a late fitness test on Saturday morning to confirm his availability, and Gyökeres would be the favourite to replace the German should he be ruled out. 

The 28-year-old scored his first goals in Arsenal colours against Daniel Farke’s side last season, during a 5-0 demolition in August, when he netted twice.