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Opinion
How Mikel Merino proved Paul Merson completely wrong in Arsenal win over Leicester
Arsenal may have just found themselves the ideal Kai Havertz replacement, and it’s someone who was in their ranks all along.
Mikel Merino ౠonly found out he was to play up front for Arsenal on the morning of the Leicester City game, but he certainly stepped up to the occasion.
Merino replaced the ineffective Raheem Sterling on 69 minutes and, just 12 minutes later, he had put Arsenal in front.
Merino rose highest in the bo�𓃲�x to meet Ethan Nwaneri’s cross in the 81st minute, sending the ball down and past Mads Hermansen.
Then, with three minutes left, Leandro Trossard delivered a superb cross for Merino𒊎 to expertly slot home at the back post.
Merino surprised many with his clinical display on the day, along with making a mockery of Paul Merson’s verdi🥃ct of what the Spaniard would be l꧂ike up front.
Paul Merson said Mikel Merino is ‘not a goalscorer’
Earlier in the week, Paul Merson’s Sky Sports column explained why♓ Merino should not be anywhere near the Arsenal front line.
“I don’t like the idea of Mikel Merino pla🅠ying up front,” said Merson. “I just don’t see it work🔯ing.
“I’d give Sterling a couple of games up there and I say t🎉hat because of his movement. He can🔯 stretch the play and create space.
“Once the game becomes tight and compact. that play🍬s into the ha💟nds of other teams.
“When Arsenal can open the game up, it allows Odegaard to get o🅠n the ball 𝕴and make things happen.
“It gives th꧙e likes of Nwaneri and Trossard time on the ball and with that ꦯI think Arsenal will be alright.
“Playing a Merino, he’s𒊎 not a Haver𒆙tz. He’s not a goalscorer.”
Judging by Merino’s performance against Leicester, it looks like he does in fact have a knack for scoring gꩵoals.
Indeed, Ars💟enal fan💟s felt Merino’s style of play were reminiscent of Olivier Giroud, who is probably one of ﷽♋the best goalscorers the Gunners have had in recent years.
How Arteta knew he should give Merino a chance up front
Speaking after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Leicester Arteta⛄ explained why he felt Merino would be a good option up front.
The Arsenal boss acknowledged that Merino had never played as a forward, but ꦫsaid the way the Spain international “can smell danger” and act on it is what prompted the decision.
When asked by TNT Sports what he had told Merino, Artꦺeta replied: “That he was going to score.
| 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 |
“He’s a real goal threat. ༒The moment they started moving deeper anওd we were more set in the final third, we thought he could deliver those moments. But it’s easier to say it than get it done!
“Because of the height? They are very different. Mikel has never played as a nine. But he has that timing, that smell that he can smell da⛎nger, anticipate danger. And ꧙then he can execute it.
“It was a lot of debate. I didn’🐼t want to drive him crazy. I said to him this morning that he might play there, we believe he could sit there if the game needed the context. He won the game for us.”