Mikel Merino has insisted the media will never hear him complain about his minutes with Spain or Arsenal, as he believes he’s playing for the best club in the world.
Mikel Merino has had plenty of important moments with Arsenal and Spain over the last year or two, but he hasn’t necessarily had a consistent run in the starting lineup for either team.
Speaking to the media over the international break, Merino was asked whether he would prefer to be playing more.
“Of course, which player wouldn’t like to have minutes?” Merino asked. “At no time do I think that I am not important, I have the confidence of the coach and I feel privileged.
“You will never hear me complain, I know how difficult the job of the coach is.”
As well as Merino, Martin Zubimendi is currently finding himself on the bench for Arsenal more often than not. But Merino claims both players are well aware of the high standards at what he considers to be the world’s best club.
“Both Martin and I know at this point what the situation is at Arsenal,” Merino said (via DAZN). “I think, in my opinion, it’s the best club in the world and the best team in the world right now, with a very deep squad and starters throughout the squad.
“So it’s very hard to get playing time. The manager also has a lot of faith in us, and right now, we know what our roles are.
“[But] this is a long process, and there could be many things that change, and we’re both calm and really keen to keep working hard until the manager gives us our chances, and to prove on the pitch that we belong there.”
Arsenal have had injuries in defence and attack this season, but they’ve largely had a clean fitness record in midfield, which hasn’t helped Merino and Zubimendi to feature regularly.
Between Zubimendi, Merino, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes, Eberechi Eze, and Martin Odegaard, the Arsenal midfielders have missed a combined one Premier League fixture. Bruno missed the opening day of the campaign, and none of them have missed a game since.
The Gunners will presumably have some setbacks at some stage, and if they haven’t already broken in by then, Merino and Zubimendi will be the ones called upon to fill the gaps. It’s just a case of being patient.
- Arsenal star insists he’s playing for world’s best clubMikel Merino has insisted the media will never hear him complain about his minutes with Spain or Arsenal, as he believes he’s playing for the best club in the world.
- Arsenal 27yo hoping for contract extension as talks advanceDeclan Rice has admitted he’s hopeful a new contract with Arsenal is on the horizon, with the Gunners pushing to tie him down to an extension.
- Arsene Wenger makes final decision on FIFA president electionArsene Wenger has decided not to stand as a candidate in FIFA’s presidential election, ruling himself out of the race.
- Arsenal international provides 2 assists for BrazilBruno Guimaraes provided two assists for Brazil’s two goals against Japan on Saturday, but Vinicius Junior deserves almost all of the credit.
- Arsenal 32yo plays in friendly for unofficial national teamArsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga featured in a friendly match for the Basque Country against Venezuela on Saturday, helping them to a 1-0 win.