Arsenal fans have grown accustomed to an unexpected sight over the past nine months: Mikel Merino, a midfielder by trade, celebrating goals as a makeshift striker. But here's where it gets even more impressive: the 29-year-old isn't just filling in—he's thriving. On Tuesday, Merino once again stepped up in the absence of Viktor Gyokeres, scoring a brace in Arsenal's commanding 3-0 Champions League victory over Slavia Prague. This performance wasn't just a fluke; it's part of a pattern that has seen Merino become a reliable solution for manager Mikel Arteta during a season plagued by injuries.
Gyokeres, Arsenal's £64m summer signing, has been sidelined with a muscle injury that Arteta describes as 'concerning.' The Swede's absence, coupled with long-term injuries to key attackers like Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, has forced Arteta to think outside the box. Enter Merino, whose adaptability and leadership have made him an invaluable asset. 'It's a joy to have him,' Arteta admitted, praising Merino's mindset, leadership, and personality. 'We’re missing a lot of attacking players, and he’s stepped up in the Champions League, scoring two crucial goals.'
Merino's journey to becoming Arsenal's go-to frontman began in February when he scored twice in a Premier League win at Leicester. That was his first time playing as a striker since childhood, yet he’s since scored vital goals against top teams like Chelsea, Fulham, and Real Madrid. Last season, he netted nine goals across all competitions, and this term, he’s already contributed three, including a crucial strike at Newcastle that helped Arsenal equal a club record of eight consecutive clean sheets, a feat last achieved in 1903.
And this is the part most people miss: Merino’s success isn’t just about his finishing ability. Arteta has meticulously coached him to play closer to the box, identifying opportunities and attacking spaces based on how opponents defend. 'He has really good timing and the capacity to finish in the box, especially with one touch,' Arteta explained. 'It’s about his quality, and he needs to keep learning and practicing every day.'
Merino’s versatility is particularly vital given Arsenal’s current injury crisis. With Havertz, Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, and Martin Odegaard all sidelined, Arteta has had to get creative. 'You have to invent options,' he said. 'Mikel hasn’t played there before in his career, but we had a good experience last season with how he reacted and performed in that position.'
Merino’s willingness to adapt is rooted in his team-first mentality, a trait he showcased during Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, where he scored a late winner against Germany in the quarterfinals. 'This team doesn’t care who is injured or not,' Merino said. 'We have the same mentality, the same fire inside. I’m just trying to feel the role of the number nine, even though I’m not a classic number nine, and help the team with goals.'
But here’s the controversial question: Is Merino’s success as a striker a testament to his individual brilliance, or does it highlight Arsenal’s over-reliance on makeshift solutions? With Gyokeres’s return date uncertain and other attackers still recovering, Merino’s role will remain pivotal. Yet, as Arsenal chase their first trophy since 2020, fans and pundits alike are divided. Is this a sustainable strategy, or a risky gamble? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Merino can keep this up, or is Arsenal’s attack in need of a more permanent fix?
