Mendieta’s argument is that international football can make a substitute role easier to accept. Merino has been used effectively from the bench by Spain, including in decisive moments, but the weekly demands of club football are different.
At Arsenal, the midfielder has been deployed in central midfield and, at times, as an emergency attacking option. That flexibility helps manager Mikel Arteta, yet it can also leave Merino competing for minutes across several positions rather than owning one regular role.
Mendieta was direct on the consequence: “Ele quer estar no time titular. Se isso não acontecer, pode procurar outro lugar”.
Merino’s own public stance has been considerably calmer. “Estou tranquilo, estou feliz lá. Eles me fazem sentir parte da família no clube. Não penso muito além disso. Já sou mais velho, então aproveito cada dia e não olho além disso”, he said.
That message indicates no immediate push for an exit. He has also acknowledged that every player wants to start, while accepting that different roles are part of a successful squad. For now, his comments point towards commitment rather than confrontation.
The situation may become more complicated if Arsenal add another midfielder. The club is reportedly considering Bruno Guimarães, while an approach for Alex Scott was reportedly rejected in June.
Neither possibility automatically means Merino’s future is in danger, but both would raise the standard required to secure regular starts. The next transfer window-and Arteta’s first-choice midfield-will reveal whether Merino remains a trusted starter, an influential rotation player or a talent tempted to look elsewhere.