Coming off the back of the 2025-26 Premier League triumph, Mikel Merino already had a sterling season at club level, but the Spain international went one better as he lifted the World Cup trophy at the MetLife Stadium in the summer.

Speaking to the media before Arsenal's Champions League tie against Slavia Prague, the 30-year-old reflected on international glory at the 2026 World Cup.

"It is an honour and privilege to be part of those little ones [group of players] that have won the World Cup and the Euros and have had success with the national team and, honestly, it lifts your confidence," Merino said.

"It is something that gives you energy to keep working and reflects the hard work that you put in. I am extremely proud and full of confidence because of that as well."

So far, the midfielder has featured in 13 out of a possible 15 games for the Gunners as Arteta's side look for European glory after losing the 2026 Champions League final to Paris St-Germain on penalties.

"I believe that having won before gives you that experience to win again, and having players around that have won the Premier League, international players that have won international trophies, that helps a lot to create that winning culture that we want to create at Arsenal," he added.

Although England did not meet Spain in the 2026 finals, Merino said his Three Lions club team-mates were "happy" for his international success and that there was a "lot of banter" in the dressing room.

"We are friends and we are family. We can make jokes between each other. If I didn't win it, I would have loved my team-mates to have won it," he said.