Mikel Merino Arsenal Striker: Arteta’s Invention That’s Holding the Gunners Together

When Mikel Arteta began reshaping Arsenal’s tactical identity, few imagined Mikel Merino would ever be the one leading the line. Yet with eight first-team players sidelined before the Champions League trip to Slavia Prague, the Spaniard was again deployed as an emergency centre-forward — and he delivered spectacularly.

Arteta’s faith in his compatriot’s intelligence and timing has paid off handsomely. Two finely-taken goals in the 3-0 victory underlined how the 29-year-old has evolved from a combative midfielder into one of Arsenal’s most versatile match-winners.

“Sometimes you just have to invent solutions,” Arteta reflected post-match. “Mikel hadn’t played there before Arsenal, but his movement and one-touch finishing make him special.”

Merino’s transformation into a makeshift striker isn’t a random experiment. Arteta’s staff had long seen finishing potential in his late runs and aerial presence. Injuries early in his Arsenal career gave Merino time to study the team’s structure, observing both midfield rotations and forward patterns.

That football education has now become a weapon. His positional awareness allows Arsenal to switch seamlessly between a 4-3-3 and a false-nine shape, with Merino linking play and pressing from the front. His humility and leadership have also earned him a place in the club’s leadership group — and even the captain’s armband in the Carabao Cup against Brighton last week.

Within the squad, Merino’s rise is seen as the embodiment of Arteta’s culture. Teammates describe him as “the glue” — the one who connects departments, keeps standards high, and helps younger players navigate Arsenal’s intense environment. His willingness to accept any role, from deep midfield to leading the line, has made him indispensable.

“His versatility, leadership, and mindset make him unique,” Arteta said after the Prague win. “He comes into the Champions League and scores two goals. It’s a joy to have him.”

In our view, the Mikel Merino-as-striker experiment may soon move beyond stop-gap status. His hold-up play and off-ball intelligence allow Arsenal to play vertically without relying on a pure No 9. It looks likely that Arteta will continue to use him situationally, until the injured strikers are back. If Arsenal add another wide attacker in January, Merino could cement himself as the tactical “glue” who gives the Gunners balance between creativity and control.

Arsenal will play Sunderland away on 8 November, where Merino could again lead the line if the injury list doesn’t ease. With form peaking and confidence high, the Spaniard’s unexpected turn as striker might just define Arsenal’s title push through the winter months.

👉 Arsenal fans — should Arteta keep using Mikel Merino up front even when the main forwards return?