Arsenal’s hunt for a reliable striker seemed like a never-ending saga for Mikel Arteta—until a surprise solution emerged from within his squad. It wasn’t a marquee signing or a loan gamble but Mikel Merino, the Spanish midfielder signed from Real Sociedad for £32.6 million last summer.
Merino Answers Arteta’s Call The Gunners struggled to break down Leicester City’s defense at King Power Stadium, their title hopes stalling with every missed chance. But the game changed in the 69th minute when Arteta pulled off an unexpected tactical switch. Raheem Sterling, who endured a frustrating afternoon, made way for Merino.
The towering 6ft 2in midfielder made an immediate impact. Nine minutes from time, he soared above the defense to meet Ethan Nwaneri’s pinpoint cross, powering a header into the net. Moments later, he doubled his tally, finishing with composure in the 87th minute to secure a 2-0 win.
Merino’s Reluctance, Arteta’s Vision Despite his match-winning performance, Merino played down any suggestions of a permanent striker role. Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he said: “I don’t think so, to be honest. It’s my first time scoring two as a striker off the bench. One of the assistants mentioned the idea this morning—it was a surprise, but I just followed the plan.”
Arteta, however, may have other ideas. With both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined for the season, the manager hinted that Merino could be part of his attacking blueprint.
Teenage Star Nwaneri Steals the Show While Merino grabbed the headlines, it was 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri who lit up the pitch with his dazzling display. The youngster, who assisted Merino’s first goal, had already struck the woodwork twice and controlled the game with maturity beyond his years.
Arteta praised his young stars, including Myles Lewis-Skelly, whose vital defensive intervention denied Leicester a certain goal: “Physically, they are special. Emotionally and mentally, their composure and decision-making are exceptional.”
Sterling’s Struggles Continue In contrast, it was a day to forget for Raheem Sterling. The veteran forward looked off the pace and devoid of confidence. His early substitution reflected Arteta’s urgency for a solution, and Merino provided just that.
A Tactical Gamble That Paid Off Arteta’s decision to deploy Merino up front came from necessity and inspiration. Other makeshift solutions, including using defender William Saliba or Riccardo Calafiori, were considered, but Merino seized his chance. His brace marked his first double since 2016.
Arteta on Merino’s Potential: “Mikel has a sense of danger and great timing in the box. His ability to read the game and arrive in the right areas is crucial. We believed he could impact the game—and he delivered.”
Valentine’s Day to Remember Adding a romantic twist, Merino dedicated his match-winning performance to his wife: “I forgot a Valentine’s Day gift, so I hope this brace makes up for it!”
A Turning Point in Arsenal’s Season? Merino’s heroics extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run to 15 league games (10 wins, 5 draws) and kept them within four points of leaders Liverpool. With Arteta considering unconventional options to address his striker dilemma, could Merino be the surprise solution Arsenal needs?
One thing is certain: Arteta may have found a striker where no one expected—right under his nose.
