"The most underrated? Mikel, Mikel Merino. 100 per cent, man." Myles Lewis-Skelly gave that verdict in comments to goal.com, and it was backed by a simple point of view rather than any grand theory. He also said he had been speaking to Mikel Merino about how he scores so many goals because he wants to learn and add that to his own game.

Merino then added the other side of it himself: "I’m very happy to be able to help the team, another game in which it was my turn to score from the bench. I’ll go out there with the best possible attitude even while frustrated about not being able to play more… but this team is a family and that always shows."

Merino's minutes under Mikel Arteta

The numbers explain why the conversation has moved beyond praise. Merino has made only 5 Premier League appearances for Arsenal this season and played just 90 league minutes. He has still scored twice in all competitions, and his League Cup rating of 7.84 is far stronger than his 6.47 Premier League mark.

The pattern is even clearer in the league team selection. Merino did not start any of Arsenal's five Premier League matches this season, though he did start the Champions League win over Napoli and the Carabao Cup victory against Ipswich Town. That leaves Mikel Arteta with a player teammates rate highly, a player who says he is frustrated, and a squad choice that already feels more complicated than a simple rotation call.

Merino arrived at Arsenal in August 2024 from Real Sociedad in a deal worth up to £31.6million, and he has 85 appearances and 16 goals for the club. Lewis-Skelly's comments do not solve the selection issue, but they do show where the pressure is building, inside the dressing room as much as outside it.

Arsenal are back in league action with a player they have used sparingly, but not ignored. The real question now is whether Merino's league minutes start to catch up with the regard shown by teammates after that latest goal.com interview.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →