Arsenal midfielder scores a hat-trick vs Turkey on Int'l duty

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has continued his excellent form for Spain with a maiden hat-trick against Turkey tonight.

The 29-year-old has been in blistering form for La Roja since his initial experiment as a false number nine at Arsenal. He has continued the run with a stellar hat-trick for his country against Turkey on the road.

Merino netted his first two goals in the opening half before bagging his hat-trick in the second. He managed to do so despite operating from a central midfield role for the European heavyweights.

Arsenal will be hoping that he can continue his rich vein of scoring form on his return to club duty. Merino had an ineffective display against Liverpool at Anfield before the international break.

There was plenty of criticism of Mikel Arteta's decision to play him from the starting line-up instead of Ethan Nwaneri after Martin Odegaard was not deemed fit to start due to a shoulder issue.