Mikel Merino opens up on true Arsenal feelings amid World Cup push, “they make me feel…”

Mikel Merino has opened up about his feelings about Arsenal as Spain make a push to win the 2026 World Cup.

Spain is flying high at the World Cup, and right now, Mikel Merino is the man of the hour. Stepping off the bench to smash home the dramatic winner against Portugal in the Round of 16 is the stuff childhood dreams are made of. Yet, despite sending an entire nation into raptures, the 30-year-old midfielder is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and his heart firmly in North London.

When Spanish radio station COPE asked if he could see himself hanging up his boots at Arsenal, Merino didn’t play the usual transfer-gossip games. Instead, he made his intentions clear:

“I’m calm, I’m happy there, and they make me feel as if I’m part of the family at the club. I’m not thinking much more than that.”

He might joke about being an “old” man just trying to make the most of his remaining days at the top level, but his clinical finish against Portugal proved there is still plenty of world-class mileage left in those legs.

As Spain gears up for a blockbuster quarter-final clash against Belgium, Merino is staying cool, calm, and blissfully content with his life as a Gunner.

Arsenal’s Swiss army knife

Since swapping the sunny shores of San Sebastián for London back in 2024, Merino has essentially become Mikel Arteta’s favourite tactical cheat code.

Racking up a hefty 78 appearances and chipping in with 15 goals, he has been deployed absolutely everywhere, from his comfortable home in central midfield to playing as an emergency striker when the Arsenal injury curse inevitably struck.

But being football’s ultimate utility man is a double-edged sword. While his versatility makes him indispensable to the squad, it has arguably cost him a permanent, locked-in spot in the starting lineup.

Last season, a combination of nagging injuries and tactical tinkering meant Merino only registered 10 Premier League starts, with another 12 appearances coming fresh off the bench. For a lesser player, that lack of guaranteed minutes would be a one-way ticket to a transfer-window tantrum.

But Merino isn’t built like that. He’s happy, settled, and completely unfazed by the lack of a guaranteed starting shirt, proving that genuine stability and club culture mean way more to him than individual ego.

Getting a taxi to Mikel’s house

If you want a masterclass in elite sports mentality, look no further than how Merino handles being a substitute. His philosophy is blunt: “If you’re going to complain about being a substitute, this isn’t the team for you, and it’s not your national team.”

It’s exactly this selfless, team-first attitude that has earned him the absolute adoration of Spain’s boss, Luis de la Fuente. The two go back over a decade to their days in the national youth setups, and De la Fuente didn’t hold back love after the Portugal triumph.

Calling Merino an absolute “safe bet” and “world-class”, the manager jokingly declared that he’d happily drive all the way to Merino’s house to pick him up himself if needed. That is the kind of glowing reference money can’t buy.

Read More: Achtung, Arsenal! The German goal machine has landed, “It is a big honour…”

Looking ahead to Friday’s massive quarter-final against Belgium, Merino openly admits he wants to start: “Personally, I’d play because I want to, 100 per cent,” but he’s entirely at peace leaving the big decisions to the boss.

Whether he’s dictating the tempo from minute one or waiting to strike from the dugout, Arsenal’s favourite son is ready to deliver when it matters most.