When Mikel Merino arrived at Arsenal from Real Sociedad, few anticipated that the midfielder, who had garnered a reputation for his composure and vision in the heart of midfield, would soon be at the forefront of discussions about Arsenal’s striking options. However, in a thrilling encounter against Brentford, Merino’s match-winning performance and crucial goals have left many wondering whether he could be Arsenal’s most potent attacking threat, even in a position that has traditionally been the domain of specialized forwards.
Arsenal, under the management of Mikel Arteta, has often been a team built on fluidity, technical excellence, and adaptability. The midfield has always been a key battleground, but now, with Merino’s standout display as an attacking presence, many are asking whether Arteta’s tactical evolution might involve using the Spaniard in a more advanced role. This article will delve into Merino’s performance against Brentford, how his skill set aligns with Arsenal’s attacking needs, and whether he could be the solution to Arsenal’s search for a consistent goal-scorer.
A New Role for Mikel Merino
At first glance, Mikel Merino seems an unlikely candidate to lead the charge for Arsenal as a forward. Traditionally, Merino has thrived as a deep-lying midfielder. His passing range, vision, and ability to disrupt opposition play have made him an invaluable part of Real Sociedad’s midfield and a key figure in Spain’s national team setup. However, since joining Arsenal, Merino has displayed versatility in his game, often playing higher up the pitch, and in the match against Brentford, he truly made his mark.
Merino’s positional play in this match was dynamic, taking up spaces between the lines of Brentford’s defense, making him difficult to track. What stood out was his adaptability: he wasn’t merely a traditional midfielder, but a fluid attacking force who found himself in the box at key moments. His intelligent runs off the ball allowed him to latch onto crosses and threaded passes, while his aerial ability was a vital weapon against Brentford’s defense.
The 3-1 victory over Brentford saw Merino score twice, displaying an instinctive striker’s mentality. While his passing and build-up play were still top-notch, it was his ability to finish under pressure and link up with Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli that truly made his performance stand out. His adaptability has raised an important question: with Gabriel Jesus still adjusting to Arteta’s style and Eddie Nketiah’s inconsistencies, could Merino emerge as the club’s best striker?
The Brentford Match A Masterclass in Versatility
The game against Brentford was the perfect stage for Merino to showcase his newfound role. The match began with Arsenal asserting dominance early on. Brentford, a team known for their aggressive pressing and resolute defense, were always going to make life difficult for Arteta’s side. However, Arsenal’s fluid attacking play quickly overwhelmed the visitors.
Merino’s first goal came in the 28th minute, when a perfectly weighted through ball from Ødegaard found him in a pocket of space just outside the penalty box. Without hesitation, Merino controlled the ball, shifted his body, and rifled a left-footed shot into the bottom corner past Brentford’s goalkeeper David Raya. It wasn’t just the clinical nature of the goal, but his ability to find space between the defenders that underlined his sharp instincts.
His second goal was equally impressive and demonstrated a different side of his attacking game. In the 59th minute, Merino capitalized on a defensive lapse from Brentford, timing his run to perfection to meet a low cross from Saka. Merino’s first-time shot, powered with his right foot, deflected off a defender’s boot but still managed to find the back of the net, highlighting his ability to be in the right place at the right time.
The midfielder’s brace wasn’t just the result of luck but of his incredible spatial awareness and timing, key qualities that strikers like Jesus and Nketiah have struggled to consistently demonstrate this season. Arteta’s tactical setup often emphasizes players making runs behind defenses, and Merino has now demonstrated that he has the instincts to thrive in such roles, even if his natural position is deeper.
Why Could Merino Be Arsenal’s Best Striker
While it’s tempting to dismiss the idea of a midfielder stepping into the striker’s role, Merino’s skill set and adaptability make him a worthy candidate to take on a more attacking responsibility. Here are several reasons why Merino could be Arsenal’s most reliable goal-scorer.
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Technical Excellence and Vision
At his core, Merino is a highly skilled footballer, capable of dictating the tempo of a match from midfield. His range of passing, particularly through balls, is second to none. His vision and ability to read the game allow him to thread passes into attacking areas, often breaking down defensive lines with a single touch. These qualities are invaluable for a striker, especially in a team like Arsenal that likes to play possession-based, quick-pass football. Whether it’s a through ball or a chipped pass into the box, Merino has proven he can supply dangerous balls, while his own movement off the ball can create opportunities.
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Goal-Scoring Instincts
Merino is not traditionally known for his goal-scoring, but his recent performances have shown that he has a natural ability to find the back of the net. His goals against Brentford were a testament to his instinctive finishing and composure under pressure. He has demonstrated an excellent knack for arriving in the right places at the right times — whether that’s getting on the end of crosses or finding space in the box. In modern football, midfielders who are also goal threats are a valuable asset to any team, and Merino is proving to be a potential source of goals for Arsenal.
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Versatility and Tactical Intelligence
Another factor that makes Merino an intriguing candidate for the striker role is his versatility. He’s not just a traditional box-to-box midfielder; his intelligence allows him to operate in different positions across the pitch. Whether as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, or in a forward role, Merino adapts well to the needs of the game. His work rate and understanding of the tactical demands of Arteta’s system make him capable of switching between roles fluidly.
Arteta’s tactical setup requires all players to contribute in various ways, especially in the final third. A striker in this system is often expected to drop deeper to link up play, press high up the pitch, and make intelligent runs to pull defenders out of position. Merino excels in all these areas, meaning he can easily step into the forward role without compromising the team’s overall style of play.
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Ability to Play with Key Players
In the match against Brentford, Merino linked up seamlessly with Saka, Martinelli, and Ødegaard. His movement off the ball allowed him to combine well with Arsenal’s attacking players, creating an attacking threat that was difficult for Brentford to handle. The fluidity and interchanging positions that Arteta demands from his players were evident in Merino’s performance, as he made runs into the box and provided space for others to exploit. His chemistry with Arsenal’s forward players could make him a real asset in the attacking third.
Challenges and Considerations
Of course, it’s not all straightforward. The striker position comes with its own set of challenges, particularly in the physical demands and the pressure to deliver consistent goals. While Merino has shown he can score, his ability to maintain this over the course of an entire season remains to be seen.
Additionally, Arsenal still has options in Jesus and Nketiah, both of whom have the potential to provide the goals needed to compete for top honors. Jesus, in particular, brings a level of experience and versatility that could still make him the primary option for Arteta in the long term. But with Nketiah struggling to find consistency, and Jesus working his way back to full fitness, Merino could be the answer in the short term, especially given his current form.
Moreover, Arteta may be reluctant to abandon a midfield setup that includes Merino as a controlling figure. His passing range and composure are integral to the team’s build-up play, and placing him further up the pitch might disrupt the balance in the midfield. Yet, if Merino continues to deliver in advanced roles, Arteta could adapt his tactics accordingly.
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