Would playing Merino help 'unlock opposition defences'

Not long after it was announced in January that Kai Havertz would have surgery on a torn hamstring, some Arsenal supporters suggested that midfielder Mikel Merino could play up front.

For the most part, this was met with surprise and confusion from fans more used to seeing him as a midfielder and unaware of his abilities as a striker.

Fast forward six months and the Spain international is playing himself into contention for the number nine position once more.

Merino scored a hat-trick in Spain’s 6-0 dismantling of Turkey in their World Cup qualifier. With Havertz again out injured, could Merino deputise once more?

Arsenal face another tricky run of fixtures after the international break, with a Carabao Cup tie at League One Port Vale sandwiched between a visit from Manchester City and a trip to face Newcastle at St James’ Park, where they have not won a game since the 2022-23 season.

So far this campaign, Arsenal have lacked a clinical and killer edge in the final third. Over in Spain, Mundo Deportivo actually called Merino a “killer”. He scored three times from only four shots on target.

Mikel Arteta has long been wedded to a 4-3-3 formation, but perhaps playing Merino alongside Viktor Gyokeres could be a novel way to unlock opposition defence.

His performance for Spain comes a week after he started in midfield during the 1-0 loss to Liverpool, an Arsenal display condemned as overly conservative.

Merino has certainly made his case to be starting further up the pitch for Arsenal. We will find out on Saturday if Arteta agrees.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast

What do you reckon? Time to throw Merino up front?

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Source: Sports Yahoo