Spain manager Luis de la Fuente hails Arsenal's Mikel Merino as 'one of the best in the world' after match-winning brace

From the Newshound archive · first published 8 October 2026.

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente says it is an 'honour' to coach Mikel Merino after the Arsenal midfielder scored twice as a substitute to seal a 2-1 comeback win over Croatia in the Nations League. Merino now has five goals in his last eight international appearances, every one of them coming off the bench. De la Fuente admitted he would have 'carried him in my arms to the World Cup' and urged Spanish fans to give the 30-year-old greater recognition.

Merino also scored off the bench in Spain's 3-1 win over Czechia last weekend, cementing his reputation as a decisive impact substitute.

The brace will pile pressure on Mikel Arteta to give Merino a bigger role at Arsenal, where he has yet to nail down a regular starting spot.