Coming off the bench and scoring a brace is worth celebrating.
Image credit: WelBeast
For weeks, Arsenal’s hunt for a reliable striker had been a growing concern for Mikel Arteta. With injuries piling up, the Gunners seemed to be running out of options.
That was until Arteta took a bold step—deploying Mikel Merino, a player primarily known as a midfielder, in an unexpected attacking role.
A Tactical Gamble Pays Off
The match against Leicester City was proving frustrating for Arsenal. Without a traditional striker, Arteta initially relied on Leandro Trossard as a false nine, but the team struggled to break down Leicester’s defense.
Then, in the 69th minute, Arteta made a game-changing decision—substituting the ineffective Raheem Sterling for Merino.
The result? Merino, the Spanish midfielder signed from Real Sociedad for £32.6m last summer, turned the game on its head.
He scored two late goals, securing a 2-0 victory that keeps Arsenal in the thick of the Premier League title race.
Merino’s Moment of Brilliance
Mikel Merino decided enough was enough against Leicester 😅🔴 pic.twitter.com/yESeJiiPzq
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) February 15, 2025
At 6ft 2in, Merino’s physical presence made an instant impact. His first goal came in the 81st minute—a powerful header from an Ethan Nwaneri cross.
Six minutes later, he sealed the victory with a confident finish, proving his versatility in the most unexpected way.
Despite his success, Merino remains humble about the possibility of playing as a striker more frequently.
“It’s not my usual position,” he admitted to Match of the Day. “But the team is tactically strong, and I just tried to adapt.”
A Rising Star: Ethan Nwaneri Shines
While Merino’s heroics stole the headlines, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri was another standout performer.
The young talent provided the assist for the opening goal and struck the woodwork twice in a display of confidence and composure beyond his years.
Myles Lewis-Skelly also played a crucial role, preventing a crucial Leicester opportunity with a last-ditch defensive intervention.
What Next for Arsenal?
With Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz sidelined for the rest of the season, Arteta now faces a dilemma.
Will he continue to experiment with Merino in a more advanced role, or will Arsenal find another solution?
For now, Arteta is simply pleased with the Spaniard’s ability to step up.
“He has a sense of danger, great timing in the box, and a goal threat,” Arteta said. “He delivered when we needed him most.”
Merino may not have expected to be Arsenal’s unlikely hero, but if this performance is anything to go by, he might just be the short-term striker solution Arsenal desperately needed.