Spanish Media Hail Arsenal’s Mikel Merino After “Historic” Hat-Trick

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has earned widespread acclaim across Spain following his sensational hat-trick in La Roja’s emphatic 6–0 victory over Turkey. The performance, described as “historic” by Spanish outlets, not only marked Merino’s first international treble but also reinforced his growing reputation as one of Europe’s most complete midfielders.

🇪🇸 A Night to Remember in Group E

Spain’s dominant win in their second 2026 World Cup qualifier sent a clear message to their rivals. Pedri netted twice, Ferran Torres added another, but it was Merino who stole the spotlight with three expertly taken goals — each showcasing a different facet of his attacking prowess.

• His first goal mirrored his Champions League strike against Real Madrid last season.
• The second was a composed low finish.
• The third, a curling effort from outside the box, sealed his hat-trick in style.

🗞️ Spanish Media React: “Killer”, “Historic”, “Perfect”

Merino’s performance was met with glowing reviews across the Spanish press:

• Mundo Deportivo dubbed him a “killer,” praising his ruthless finishing and current form.
• El Desmarque called it “one of the best matches of his career,” awarding him a perfect 10/10 rating and highlighting the historic nature of his hat-trick.
• SPORT echoed the sentiment, also giving Merino top marks — a distinction shared only with Pedri on the night.

📊 Merino’s All-Round Brilliance

Beyond the goals, Merino’s stats underline his influence across the pitch:

His ability to contribute defensively while orchestrating attacks makes him a rare asset — and a selection headache for Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, given the depth of talent in midfield.

🔥 A Scoring Streak for Club and Country

Merino’s treble against Turkey follows goals against Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and France, bringing his tally to six goals in his last six international appearances. His most iconic strike came during Euro 2024, when he netted a dramatic late winner against Germany in the quarter-finals.

Now, with Arsenal set to face Nottingham Forest at the Emirates this weekend, Merino will be eager to carry his red-hot form back into club football. With injuries to key players like Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, Mikel Arteta may lean on Merino’s momentum to drive the Gunners forward.

From midfield maestro to goal-scoring machine, Mikel Merino is proving he’s more than just a reliable presence — he’s a match-winner. And if his current trajectory continues, both Spain and Arsenal could be celebrating much more in the months ahead.