Mikel Merino of Arsenal netted a double final weekend (Picture by Shaun Botterill/Getty Photographs)
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 closing third – with Raheem Sterling, Ethan Nwaneri, and Leandro Trossard the one forwards out there in the intervening time.
All three began in Arsenal’s away match towards the Foxes final Saturday however have been unable to pose a major attacking menace for the crew for 70 minutes.
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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 an important 2-0 victory for the Gunners.
With Arsenal set to host West Ham United on Saturday, they’ve the prospect to shut the hole to Premier League leaders Liverpool to simply 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 taking part in 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 taking part in as a striker as a result of we would 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 effectively, he will get into that place. He reads the sport very, very effectively. Clearly, I do know him from taking part in with the nationwide crew. He scored a really comparable purpose within the Euros towards Germany and that was when he was taking part in as an 8.
“However these varieties of balls for him is his bread and butter. He’s so good within the air. He reaches the ball very, very effectively after which it’s only a implausible header.”
