Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hailed the impact of Mikel Merino after the midfielder-turned-striker scored the only goal against Chelsea to restore his team to winning ways.
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In the absence of injured stars such as Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, Merino has been pushed up front and registered his fifth Premier League goal of the season with a header from Martin Odegaard’s corner in the 20th minute that ended a three-match winless run, with only one goal scored.
Merino had also scored the decisive goals in Arsenal’s previous victory, a 2-0 win at Leicester City, and his header reduced the gap to leaders Liverpool to 12 points and put the Gunners four points head of Nottingham Forest in third. He almost got a second in the second half against Chelsea but for a brilliant save from his volley by Robert Sanchez.
Arteta told Sky Sports: "We have had top players out for many many months. Our team has an incredible resilience. Mikel really wants to do well, he has never played that position before but he is scoring goals.
“He is a really dangerous player in the box and he can help us. Really pleased, even physically it is a very different game to play as a nine."
Arsenal legend Ian Wright also praised the way that Merino performed at Emirates Stadium.
"What we've seen is that he's a very intelligent player," the former Arsenal striker said. "The way he holds it up, he's so composed and knows where he's passing it.
"That's exactly what Arsenal need, in respect of keeping the ball up in that third, it's something that we don't do well because he haven't got a focal point."
Merino assesses himself as a striker
Speaking to Wright after Sunday's victory, Merino said: "It's different to playing as a midfielder, but I don't feel that pressure to be honest.
"The main thing for me is trying to help the team with small details, from pressing to positioning myself in the best spot for my team-mates. It's a different role from what I'm used to but I think I'm adapting pretty good."
Arsenal await Saka's return
Arteta felt his team could have won by more but is hopeful that after Gabriel Martinelli returned from injury to Premier League action against Chelsea, Saka won’t be too far behind.
"We should have done much more but we are very happy and it was an important game,” Arteta said. “We play a top opponent and the team played with an unbelievable spirit and now we go to the international break.
"The only thing we can do is try to win our matches. If we do, we are in a better position."
And on Saka returning after the international break? "He has a good chance, yes."
