Mikel Arteta has selection headache after midfielder's hat-trick on international duty

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has a potential selection headache on his hands following Mikel Merino's sensational hat-trick on international duty with Spain on Sunday.

Merino started in central midfield in the recent 1-0 loss to Liverpool in the Premier League. He was largely ineffective from an advanced position and was eventually replaced by Martin Odegaard.

Many criticised Arteta's decision to start with Merino over Ethan Nwaneri amid Odegaard's fitness issues, but the Gunners boss now has a selection headache for the Nottingham Forest game.

Merino scored in the recent 3-0 win for Spain over Bulgaria, but no one would have predicted him to bag a hat-trick in the next game at Turkey.

His maiden career hat-trick means that Arteta has a big decision to make. In a normal situation, Merino would be dropped for Odegaard to be reinstated.

It remains to be seen what the manager decides to do with Merino. Arsenal host Forest in Saturday's early kick-off at the Emirates Stadium.