Arteta’s gamble pays off as late false-nine Merino’s brace seals victory for the Gunners
Arsenal struggle with injuries, this season, has hampered their English Premier League’s progress as the Gunners remain second on the EPL table.
Injuries to Arsenal key players like Bukayo Saka, Benjamin White, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, among others, have compounded the Gunners’ struggle which saw them utilize Merino as a makeshift striker.
After coming off the bench to net a brace in the game at Leicester yesterday, Mikel Merino has vowed to keep doing whatever required of him to help the team.
Merino, who was introduced in the second half, netted a brace to hand the Gunners a victory which has kept them in the hunt for the EPL crown.
Arsenal’s failure to bring-in a proper number 9 during the summer and winter transfer windows was rapidly worsened after losing their top scorer Kai Havertz to a season-ending hamstring injury.
With Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli out, it means that Arsenal are very short up front going forward, and there is no news or report of them entering free-agent market to sign an attacker yet.
Arteta’s Gamble Pays Off
With less than ten minutes left on the regular time in the last match against Leicester City, Arsenal looked to be walking away with one point prior to Merino “miracle” brace.
Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta’s gamble paid off after he deployed a makeshift front three which that demanded a rejig as the Premier League title contenders sought to beat struggling Leicester City.
Losing or drawing a match for the Gunners would never be a good sign which led Arteta to taking a bold and “gamble” decision by utilizing Merino in the 69th minute, in place of Raheem Sterling, as the Spain International repaid the manager’s faith by netting an impressive brace to seal a late 2-0 win for the North Londoners.
It came as a soothing relief to the Gunners who recently struggle in front of goals since the injury to their talisman right-wing attacker Bukayo Saka who has been playing pivotal roles in the club’s push for major silverwares in last three seasons.
Arteta’s Gamble Pays Off
“It was crazy for me to come on the pitch in that position,” Merino told the club’s media team.
“It was a really, really difficult game against a good side and the pressure was on us.
“But this game is about small details sometimes, about who’s more precise in the last meters.
“We were clinical in those last 20 minutes with me trying to make an impact in the box and with my team-mates just putting in some amazing balls.
“We won the game and I’m really, really, really happy.”
After twenty-one minutes of being introduced onto the pitch, Merino recorded his first double for Arsenal since being signed in the summer.
In his last 26 appearances for Arsenal, he has 2 goals to his name since joining from Real Sociedad.
It was a tremendous and unforgettable first experience playing as a makeshift striker and an opportunity he had never dreamed of having.
“To be honest, it was just this morning when they told me it was a possibility,” Merino added.
Arteta’s Gamble Pays Off
“I read something in the media, but I wouldn’t believe it, but this morning they told me. I said I’m ready to do whatever the team needs me to do. I think I showed it.”
Arsenal continue to heap up the pressure on the table-toppers Liverpool, as Arsenal’s defeat of Leicester City makes it ninth loss in ten EPL matches for the Foxes.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s men losing streak continues with an all too familiar sinking feeling.
“It’s clear we’re doing absolutely what we can,” the Dutchman said.
“I can’t ask for any more from the players in terms of commitment and spirit and the physical performance they put in, the way they are playing together and stopping this Arsenal team from playing and scoring for an awful long time, creating ourselves and playing the way we want to play, going direct when we couldn’t.
“We did everything possible today and then you can’t ask any more.
“You have to be proud of this team and supportive of this team, and with the belief that we keep going like this and results will come.”
After the impressive outing by Merino’s in win against the Foxes, Arteta might look to deploy him in the same position during their upcoming matches.
Arteta’s Gamble Pays Off
Arsenal are now four points behind Liverpool, who have a home game tomorrow at the Anfield Stadium against Wolves. Should Liverpool win the match, they would regain their seven-point lead.
Arsenal hope Liverpool slip up so that they can gain close the gap on the Reds who, at the moment, firing from all cylinders in their stellar form.
Next EPL fixtures comes on Wednesday, 19th February, 2025, for Liverpool against Aston Villa at the Villa Park−the home of Aston Villa, while Arsenal next fixture holds at the Emirates Stadium , against West Ham United−North London rivals−on Saturday, 22nd February, 2025.
With Manchester City gradually climbing up the EPL table after their 4-0 win against Newcastle United on Saturday at the Etihad, both Arsenal and Liverpool will always play to avoid either draws or loss in any match because City can never be ruled out of the title race just yet.
How far Arsenal go utilizing Merino as makeshift striker will be known in May as “the ends justifies the means.”
Arteta’s Gamble Pays Off
