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Mikel Merino shares when he found out from Mikel Arteta that he’d be playing up front for Arsenal
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has emerged as an unlikely hero in wake of his impressive start to life as the Gunners’ auxiliary centre-forward.
Kai Havertz’s season-ending hamstring injury meant Arsenal were without a recognised centre-forward for the Premier League game against Leicester.
In addition, Mikel Arteta only had three fit forwards in his ranks for the match at the King Power Stadium – Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling.
Arsenal failed to break down Leicester for much of the game, but Arteta’s decision to bring Merino in as a centre-forward in the second half proved a masterstroke.
In the 80th minute, Merino rose highest in the box to meet Ethan Nwaneri’s cross, sending the ball down and past Mads Hermansen.
Then, with three minutes left, Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard combined to set up Merino for a strike at the back post.
His performance stunned and delighted Arsenal fans, who likened Merino to Olivier Giroud.
Speaking after the game, Merino revealed exactly when he found out from Mikel Arteta that he’d be playing up front against Leicester.
Mikel Merino found out he’d be playing as a striker on morning of Leicester v Arsenal game
Merino revealed that he only found out that he’d be lining up as a striker on the morning of the game.
“Arteta told me I was going to come in as a striker,” he told TNT Sports. “We were talking this morning about it with one of the assistants and honestly it was a surprise.
“It’s the first time in my career I’ve played in that position. But he told me to go as a striker, make sure I go with my strengths. Luckily, I could help the team with two goals.”
When asked whether he’s now a striker, Merino replied: “I don’t know. I don’t think so to be honest!
“I’ve only scored two braces in my career, this is the first time I’ve done it coming off the bench as a striker.
“It’s a good time to score as I didn’t spent Valentine’s Day with my wife, this goes to her!”
How Merino fared up front for Arsenal
Merino’s 21-minute outing for Arsenal has to go down as one of the best out-of-position cameos for a player in recent years.
| Merino stats v Leicester | |
| Minutes played | 21′ |
| Goals | 2 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.84 |
| Touches | 16 |
| Accurate passes | 6/9 (67%) |
| Shots on target | 2 |
| Ground duels (won) | 2 (0) |
| Aerial duels (won) | 3 (2) |
| Clearances | 1 |
Merino only had 16 touches of the ball, but two of those ended up in the back of the Leicester net, and it could well prove to be a turning point in Arsenal’s season.
Not only does their win against the Foxes keep the pressure on Liverpool, but it also shows that Arsenal have a serious goalscoring threat despite their depleted ranks.