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Arsenal fans name the Gunners cult hero Mikel Merino reminded them of following his brace against Leicester

Giuseppe Labellarte

Sat 15 February 2025 15:15, UK

Arsenal kept up the pressure on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 win away at Leicester City on Saturday.

The Gunners, currently missing most of their m♚ain forwards, struggled to break down the Foxes for much of the game.

However, an unlikely hero arose as midfielder Mikel Merino came on in the 69th minute to rescue Arsenal with a late brace.

In the 80th minute🐬, Merino rose highest in the box to meet Ethan Nw๊aneri’s cross, sending the ball down and past Mads Hermansen.

Then, with three minutes left, Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard co💖mbined to set up Merino for a strike ဣat the back post.

Arsenal fans wat෴ꩲching and following the game said Merino reminded them of an Arsenal cult hero – and it’s not Thierry Henry.

READ MORE: Arne Slot sayꦇs £62.5m forward wanted by A🐭rsenal ‘has the quality to play for one of the top five teams in England’

Arsenal fans compare Mikel Merino to Olivier Giroud

Arsenal supporters couldn’t help but notice the similarities between Merino and Olivier Giroud.

“Merino reminds me of Olivier Giroud,” one fan wrote on X. “A c♈omplete striker that one.”

Another said: “Merino turns to prime Giroud. What am I seeing𒊎.”

The comparisons kept coming, with one supporter🌱 saying: “ꦬWe had our number 9 at home this whole time… Mikel Merino are you Giroud in disguise?”

Another said: “Merino is great at heading and finishing with feet both it seems. Giroud 2.0 – Saka is going to feast when he🃏 comes back.”

Another said: “Merino𓃲 is Giroud 2.0. Start him next game, both those finishes were seriously, striker goals. That 2nd was class.”

How Olivier Giroud fared at Arsenal

Merino will no doubt be 🌺pleased with the comparisons to Giroud, who made a rওeal name for himself at Arsenal as a clinical striker who produced magic moments.

Giroud played foꦆr Arsenal between 2012 and 2018, registering 105 goals and 37 assists from 253 appea⛎rances for the Gunners.

He had a penchant for some truly remarkable goals, such as the scorpion kick against Crystal Palace that wo▨n him the 2017 Puskas award.

During hღis time at the Emirates Stadium, Giroud won three FA Cups and three Community Shields.

The France international then swapped Arsenal for Chelsea in 2018, claiming 39 gꦫoals 💖and 14 assists from 119 outings for the Blues.

Giroud also had a fruitful stint at AC Milan, with 132 appeara🌄nces, 49 goals and 20 assists to his name.

The 38-year-old currently plies his trade for Major League ✃Soccer side Los Angeles FC.