3 goals, 100% aerials, 4 recoveries: 58-touch Arsenal star had perfect game on Int'l duty, could start vs Forest

Spain continued their perfect start to the World Cup qualifying campaign with a 6-0 rout of Turkey on the road.

La Roja went into the game as favourites, but no one would have predicted such a commanding win.

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino started alongside Martin Zubimendi in the centre of the park.

He was exceptional on the night, scoring his maiden hat-trick before the hour mark.

Merino netted his first goal with a strike identical to that against Real Madrid in the Champions League last season.

He doubled the advantage with a low effort before scoring his third with a stellar curling shot from outside the box.

Aside from his hat-trick, Merino won 100 percent of his aerial duels with four recoveries and three tackles.

Merino had 58 touches in the game and completed an impressive 38 out of 44 balls attempted.

It was a perfect night for the 29-year-old, who received a 9.7/10 rating from both Fotmob and Sofascore for his display.

Merino had a quiet game against Liverpool at Anfield before the international break, where he did not look like scoring.

Manager Mikel Arteta was criticised for the decision to pick him over Ethan Nwaneri after Martin Odegaard was unfit to start.

The former Real Sociedad man answered his critics with a world-class showing yesterday against Turkey away from home.

Arsenal host Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Merino is likely to drop to the bench with Odegaard poised to return to the starting XI alongside Zubimendi and Declan Rice in midfield.

However, we won’t be surprised if Merino gets the nod over Odegaard or Rice on the back of scoring four goals in two games for Spain during the international break

Stats from Fotmob.com & Sofascore.com

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