Mikel Merino of Arsenal netted a double final weekend (Photograph by Shaun Botterill/Getty Photos)
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta refused to rule out utilizing Mikel Merino as soon as once more as a centre-forward following the Spaniard’s heroics final weekend towards Leicester Metropolis.
Accidents to a number of key attacking gamers have left the Spaniard struggling for choices within the remaining third – with Raheem Sterling, Ethan Nwaneri, and Leandro Trossard the one forwards out there for the time being.
All three began in Arsenal’s away match towards the Foxes final Saturday however had been unable to pose a big attacking risk for the staff for 70 minutes.
Searching for a spark, Arteta made a change- he opted to deliver on Merino for Sterling within the second half to steer the assault for the ultimate 20 minutes.
And the substitution turned out to be a stroke of genius, because the Spanish midfielder netted twice to safe a vital 2-0 victory for the Gunners.
With Arsenal set to host West Ham United on Saturday, they’ve the possibility to shut the hole to Premier League leaders Liverpool to only 5 factors. Nevertheless, with none of their injured attackers returning but, Arteta faces the identical problem in assault.
Forward of the sport, Arteta was requested whether or not he would think about using Merino upfront once more.
“He’s an enormous prospect” the Spaniard replied. “He can assault and arrive within the field. How he can execute with many components of his physique. He’s very skilled and really clever so if somebody can adapt to a different place, it’s him.”
What did David Raya say about Mikel Merino enjoying as a striker?
It comes after Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya spoke about his compatriot’s new place, saying that he had not seen him deployed there in coaching.
‘I believe they’d a chat [in training] as a result of we at all times do a stroll on matchdays,’ the Spaniard recalled. After which he was talking to Moli [assistant coach Miguel Molina] saying, ‘what would you concentrate on enjoying as a striker as a result of we’d want you there?’
“So he didn’t practice as a striker as soon as. He simply got here on after which as a result of he’s so clever and he reads the sport very properly, he will get into that place. He reads the sport very, very properly. Clearly, I do know him from enjoying with the nationwide staff. He scored a really comparable aim within the Euros towards Germany and that was when he was enjoying as an 8.
“However these forms of balls for him is his bread and butter. He’s so good within the air. He reaches the ball very, very properly after which it’s only a improbable header.”
