Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino playing for Arsenal in 2025
Personal information
Full name Mikel Merino Zazón
Date of birth (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996
Place of birth Pamplona, Spain
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)
Team information
Current team
Arsenal
Number 23
Youth career
Amigó
Osasuna
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014 Osasuna B 5 (0)
2014–2016 Osasuna 63 (5)
2016–2017 Borussia Dortmund 8 (0)
2017Newcastle United (loan) 7 (0)
2017–2018 Newcastle United 17 (1)
2018–2024 Real Sociedad 190 (20)
2024– Arsenal 49 (11)
International career
2014–2015 Spain U19 12 (1)
2016–2019 Spain U21 20 (4)
2021 Spain Olympic 6 (1)
2020– Spain 41 (10)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Spain
UEFA European Championship
Winner 2024 Germany Team
UEFA Nations League
Winner 2023 Netherlands Team
Runner-up 2021 Italy Team
Runner-up 2025 Germany Team
Olympic Games
2020 Tokyo Team
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Winner 2019 Italy Team
Runner-up 2017 Poland Team
UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Winner 2015 Greece Team
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:25, 25 January 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 21:44, 18 November 2025 (UTC)

Mikel Merino Zazón (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmikel meˈɾino]; born 22 June 1996) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays mainly as a midfielder and occasionally as a striker for Premier League club Arsenal and the Spain national team.

He began his career with Osasuna, and had short spells at Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United before signing for Real Sociedad in 2018, winning the 2019–20 Copa del Rey with the club while totalling 242 appearances and 27 goals. In August 2024, he joined Premier League side Arsenal.

Merino represented Spain in two European Under-21 Championships, winning the 2019 edition. He made his senior debut in 2020, being selected for Euro 2024 and winning the tournament.