Arteta must axe 5/10 Arsenal flop after Chelsea display

If something typified Arsenal’s calendar yr up to now it will be their 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

A win within the London derby towards the Blues ought to often be sufficient to spark bedlam and a roaring cacophony of sound across the Emirates Stadium.

But, this sport felt totally different. Earlier than kick-off, the Gunners had been 15 factors behind Liverpool and knew the title was out of attain. Nonetheless, a win is a win and it is a very important win at that contemplating they’ve lately limped to a 1-0 defeat towards West Ham, a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest and a 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Whereas Mikel Arteta’s males loved a number of the ball towards Enzo Maresca’s aspect, they had been missing a killer intuition that has eluded them for lots of 2025. They’re lacking Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka. It is hardly a shock they have been so toothless.

So, allow us to rejoice in Mikel Merino, the makeshift centre-forward who’s been saving Arsenal’s bacon.

Mikel Merino’s efficiency in numbers towards Chelsea

When Merino arrived at Arsenal final summer time, shifting from Actual Sociedad, little did he assume he’d be taking part in as a striker within the latter phases of the season. Nor did Arteta, in all equity.

Nevertheless, wants should so far as the Gunners are involved.

Merino has performed his job properly and have to be minimize some slack. Earlier than that two-goal cameo towards Leicester in February, he hadn’t ever performed as a centre-forward.

Since being given the reins as the focus of the aspect, he has scored 4 objectives in seven video games. It is a fairly respectable document however he is by no means going to hold Arsenal to trophies taking part in in that position.

Nonetheless, he did an admirable job towards Chelsea, main the press, closing down the defenders and scoring the all-important objective.

Merino has scored various totally different strikes this time period, scoring two again put up efforts towards Leicester and side-footing the ball house from shut vary towards PSV.

This objective, nevertheless, was from the close to put up and it marked Arsenal’s first objective from a nook in what felt like endlessly. Skipper Martin Odegaard swung the ball in from the precise and the Spaniard darted into a very good place earlier than flicking the ball previous Robert Sanchez.

Merino may have made it two however this time was denied by Sanchez who had a relatively topsy-turvy afternoon between the sticks.

The Spain worldwide met the ball on the again put up this time and hammered a volley in the direction of the objective that just about crossed the road however was stored out excellently.

Whereas Merino deserves reward for his efficiency, considered one of his attacking colleagues actually does not.

Arsenal’s largest underperformer towards Chelsea

Whereas this was a fairly laboured 1-0 win for Arteta and his gamers, there weren’t many gamers who really contributed poorly on the Emirates.

Sadly for Leandro Trossard, his contribution didn’t quantity to a lot. In reality, it hasn’t amounted to a lot in any respect actually in latest months.

The Belgian did rating in that 7-1 rout in Eindhoven however has actually struggled to make a constructive impression within the absence of Saka.

Trossard started that aforementioned conflict at Leicester because the 9 however has since been moved to the left to accommodate Merino and whereas his efficiency on Sunday wasn’t terrible, it lacked aptitude and finish product.

Handed a 5/10 match score by the Categorical’ Simon Collings, he famous that it was ‘a type of days for the Belgian. Received into some good positions, however couldn’t take advantage of the probabilities. Irritating.’

A have a look at the stats paints that irritating image, with the previous Brighton star failing to register a key move, a shot heading in the right direction, full a dribble or do something of observe defensively. He additionally misplaced the ball each 5 touches with it maybe a shock that Trossard lasted the total 90 minutes.

Consequently, as soon as the worldwide break is alleged and performed, Arteta should have a look at different choices. Saka is nearing a return however it should nonetheless be too quickly for any common involvement for his or her star man so it certainly must be a entrance three of Gabriel Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri and Merino.