Cyberniceworld

Mikel Merino is quickly becoming Spain’s man for the biggest moments. After missing a large part of last season through injury, the Arsenal midfielder came off the bench to score a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Portugal, sending Spain into the World Cup quarter-finals and ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of lifting the trophy. Next up? A quarter-final against Arsenal teammate Leandro Trossard and Belgium. Away from the pitch, Merino also gave Arsenal fans something to talk about. During a winner-stays-on challenge with El Chiringuito TV, he was asked to choose between Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland. Merino didn’t hesitate. Julian Alvarez. It’s an interesting answer given Arsenal’s reported interest in the Argentine, although Atlhletico Madrid continue to insist he is not for sale, with both manager Diego Simeone and president Enrique Cerezo publicly stressing how important he is to the club.