Declan Rice reacts to Arsenal teammate Mikel Merino’s post
Declan Rice has responded to fellow Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino, as the pair jet off for international duty.
The Gunners finished second in the Premier League for their third year on the bounce, ending the season 10 points behind title winners Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s side failed to properly challenge the Reds, who were crowned champions with four games of the campaign still remaining.
In the Champions League, Arsenal were beaten by eventual winners PSG in the semi-finals, while they were knocked out of the League Cup by Newcastle at the same stage.
Merino joins up with Spain
As Arsenal’s season is at an end, attention turns to the international scene, with Spain facing France in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals on Thursday (6 June).
Merino has been called up to Luis de la Fuente’s squad, along with Gunners teammate David Raya.
The 28-year-old took to Instagram to share some photos from training, along with the caption: “Vamos! @sefutbol #nationsleague.”
Fellow midfielder and Arsenal teammate Rice was quick to show Merino some appreciation by liking the post.
Rice is also currently away on international duty, as England prepare to face Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on Friday (7 June)
Arsenal move for Sesko
Football Insider Verdict
For a large part of last season, Arteta was forced to utilise Merino as a striker, after injuries to both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
The Spaniard actually performed relatively well in the role, considering it was an unnatural position for him, but the Gunners suffered in big games.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 28 | 7 | 2 |
This summer, the big aim is to rectify the centre forward problem, and Arsenal are reportedly close to bringing Benjamin Sesko to the club.
Sesko has been a long-term target for the Gunners, who failed in their attempts to bring him to North London last summer.
The 22-year-old scored 13 goals in 33 Bundesliga games for RB Leipzig in 2024/25, picking up five assists as well.
Arsenal are also interested in Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon, but it is more likely that Sesko will be making the move to the Emirates, rather than the former Coventry striker.