CORNERFLICK
20Caps- 9International goals
- 30AgeBorn 22 Jun 1996
- ArsenalClub
- UEFA Champions LeagueLeague
- SpainNational team
The shape of him
Mikel Merino is a 30-year-old midfielder at Arsenal and a Spain international. In 25/26 that meant 36 club appearances and 2,096 minutes. Midfield is where games are controlled: setting the tempo, winning the ball back, and finding the pass that breaks a line.
The job
Link defence to attack, keep the ball moving, and screen the back line when possession is lost.
Season snapshot 25/26
| Appearances | 36 | |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes played | 2,096 | |
| Goals | 6 | |
| Assists | 3 | |
| Key passes per 90 | 1.2 | |
| Pass accuracy | — | |
| Tackles per 90 | 1.7 | |
| Duels won | 45% |
Playing style
Percentile against midfielders we track, 25/26
Stat comparison
vs midfielders we track (493), 25/26
| Stat | Bar | Merino | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key passes per 90 | 1.2 | 1.2 | |
| Tackles per 90 | 1.7 | 1.6 | |
| Dribbles per 90 | 0.3 | 0.9 | |
| Duels won | 45% | 49% |
Honours 14
- 2DFB Pokal
- 2Copa del Rey
- 2Emirates Cup
- 2UEFA Nations League
- 2UEFA U19 Championship
- 2UEFA U21 Championship
- 2UEFA European Championship
Quick facts
- Full name
- Mikel Merino Zazón
- Date of birth
- 22 Jun 1996 (30)
- Place of birth
- Pamplona, Spain
- Nationality
- Spain
- Height
- 1.89 m
- Position
- Midfielder
- Current club
- ARArsenal
CF card
i
Our rating from 25/26's club stats, against every outfield player we track. Pace is set by our editors. Not an EA SPORTS FC rating.
73MID
AR
Merino
- 82
- SHO
- 76
- PAS
- 70
- DRI
- 78
- DEF
- 77
- PHY
Similar players
From the file room
Chelsea weigh replacements as Fernández exit talk grows
Rodri backs Spain to match France in semi-final test
Merino goal ends Olaya's 40-year World Cup wound
De la Fuente: France should be worried about Spain
View all news
Spain vs. France! What a terrifying semi-final
Lammens error sends Belgium out against Spain
Merino jokes De la Fuente should bring him on earlier
Merino sends Spain past Belgium into semi-finals
Portugal devastated by the 'Ramos-time' specialist!
Ronaldo exits World Cup in tears after Portugal loss
Merino late winner sends Spain past Portugal
Recent matches
| Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | Result | Minutes | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct 2026 |  Premier League - England |  Nottingham Forest | A | W1–0 | 24' | |
| 13 Oct 2026 |  UEFA Champions League |  Lille | H | W3–0 | 65' | |
| 10 Oct 2026 | Premier League - England | Leeds | H | W2–1 | 0' | |
| 6 Oct 2026 |  UEFA Nations League |  Croatia | A | W2–1 | 44' | |
| 3 Oct 2026 | UEFA Nations League |  Czechia | H | W3–1 | 23' |
View all matches
| Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | Result | Minutes | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Sep 2026 | UEFA Nations League | Croatia | H | W4–1 | 33' |
More on Mikel Merino
Season by season
Club football, all competitions
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Mins | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/27 | Spain | All competitions | 11 | 240 | 2 | 0 |
| 25/26 | Arsenal | All competitions | 36 | 2,096 | 6 | 3 |
| 24/25 | Arsenal | All competitions | 45 | 2,636 | 9 | 5 |
| 23/24 | Real Sociedad | All competitions | 46 | 3,645 | 8 | 5 |
| 22/23 | Real Sociedad | All competitions | 43 | 3,172 | 3 | 9 |
Added