One of Arsenal’s most important squad players could look to leave the club after interest emerged in him, with a set of conditions crucial to keeping a favourite of Mikel Arteta’s.

The Gunners have thrived in recent seasons, in part, due to increasing the quality of their depth and having reliable players across the squad who are capable of delivering in tense moments.

Few players quite match that definition like Mikel Merino, who has proven to be a pivotal figure in crucial match-winning situations since his €32 million move from Real Sociedad in 2024.

However, eight of Merino’s nine Premier League appearances this season have come from the bench and the 30-year-old’s contract is set to expire in 2028, putting both him and Arsenal at a crossroads in their relationship.

Merino’s father spoke last month suggesting that his son would be open to a return to his native Spain amid interest from Atletico Madrid and La Razon have now reported the scenario that would have to unfold for the midfielder to leave Arsenal.

It is claimed that Merino’s priority is to keep his place in the Spain squad for their 2028 European Championship campaign meaning that, should he not be an important figure for Arsenal, he would consider a move to Atletico or another team and ideally return to La Liga.

Mikel Merino: Arsenal star would only leave for ‘top club’

Merino has played 59 Premier League games for Arsenal, scoring 11 goals, however just 28 of his appearances have been starts, with the Spaniard also being used as a gap filler all down the spine of midfield or up front.

Having featured in every match of Spain’s 2026 World Cup winning run, albeit all-but-one as a substitute, Merino is still considered a crucial player for Luis De La Fuente’s side but a lot could change if the Arsenal star’s minutes continue to decline in the next two years.

Atletico are understood to be considering a loan-to-buy €30m deal for Merino, with Arsenal still yet to open talks over a new deal, and the North London side are thought to be open to his departure.

“Right now, he’s at a club that’s competing for everything. That’s what he wanted when he left Real Sociedad,” Merino’s father Miguel told Spanish TV last month.

“Mikel left with a heavy heart. He wanted to take a step up in his ambitions as a footballer, to be a regular in the Champions League and try to win the Premier League, which he’s already achieved. He left Real Sociedad because he wanted to advance his career as a footballer, and now he’s at a top club.”

“If he comes to La Liga, well, I suppose he’ll want to continue in that rhythm of competing in the Champions League and keeping that motivation, but obviously he’s in a comfortable situation there at Arsenal, isn’t he? Because he’s experiencing exactly what he wanted when he left Real Sociedad.”