Merino Thrives as Striker with Brace Against Leicester
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Synopsis
On Feb 15, Mikel Merino made a stunning impact as a striker, scoring two goals in his debut position. This came as a relief to Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, who faced a striker dilemma due to injuries to key players. Merino's performance highlights his adaptability and the potential of young talents at Arsenal.
Key Takeaways
- Mikel Merino scored a brace playing as a striker for the first time.
- Arteta faced challenges due to injuries to key forwards.
- Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly also showcased their potential.
- The match emphasized the importance of team spirit.
- Timber praised the young players' remarkable performances.
Leicester, Feb 15 (NationPress) Mikel Arteta must be feeling quite pleased, as he has discovered a solution to his striker dilemma. Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino was brought on as a late substitute and remarkably netted a brace during his inaugural experience playing as a forward.
With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined for the season, Arteta faced a significant challenge in selecting someone for the number nine role. Despite deploying Belgian forward Trossard in the position, the strategy fell flat, prompting a substitution at the 70th minute. "He [Mikel Arteta] instructed me to step in as a striker this morning. We had a brief discussion about it with one of the assistants. It marks the first occasion in my career where I've played in that role. He encouraged me to leverage my strengths, and fortunately, I was able to contribute to the team with two goals today,” Merino shared with BBC Sport.
However, the Spaniard does not envision himself occupying that position for an extended period. "To be honest, I don't believe so. (Regarding a regular starting position as a striker) This is the first time I have scored a brace after coming off the bench as a striker. I forgot to give my wife something for Valentine's Day, so this will be for her. I think she will value this more than a rose and some chocolate. Today’s match was challenging, but such games foster team spirit. Matches like today are vital for the squad."
While Merino was undoubtedly the standout performer that night, Academy graduates Ethan Nwaneri and Miles Lewis-Skelly also deserve recognition. Nwaneri was the only Arsenal player to showcase any real threat up front, hitting the woodwork twice before assisting Merino’s initial goal.
Conversely, Lewis-Skelly made significant defensive contributions, including preventing a precarious situation when Ayew’s cross nearly reached Bobby Decordova-Reid, who was lurking at the back post, only to be thwarted by Miles.
Full-back Jurrien Timber commended the young talents, expressing his belief that 'the sky is the limit for them.' "You almost forget their age. They are remarkable for their youth. Their performance is on a different level, and the sky is the limit for them,” Timber stated to BBC Sport.
