2 shots on target, 2 goals: Arsenal star sends message to Arteta with 9.9 rating for his national team

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino put in another superb performance for the Spanish national team on Tuesday night, scoring twice in his country’s 4-0 win over Bulgaria.

The 29-year-old seems to be Mr Reliable for his national side at the moment, scoring a brace in this game and also recently netting a stunning hat-trick in the last international break.

In the mean time, Merino doesn’t always get a start for Arsenal, and when he does it often seems to be in a role that doesn’t perfectly suit him.

Merino now seems to be sending a clear message to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta – he’s a goal-scorer, and can be a top class performer if used regularly and in the right way.

Merino is surely good enough to be getting more opportunities with Arsenal, with the former Real Sociedad man earning a 9.9 score from WhoScored in the game against Bulgaria.

Their stats show that Merino had two shots on target and scored with both of them, while he also made one successful tackle and interception, and completed 87% of his passes.

This came in an attacking midfield role just behind the main striker, but Merino has rarely had the chance to play there for Arsenal.