Mikel Merino is one of the options available for Arsenal to replace the injured Kai Havertz when Premier League football returns this weekend.
Arsenal’s Mikel Merino has sent a clear message to manager Mikel Arteta ahead of his return to the Premier League this weekend. He is one of the few players who are away with the Spanish national team during the break.
The extended break of three weeks hit the “gunners” with an injury. Forward Kai Haverts was confirmed last week Bud returned to Arsenal after a knee injury During Germany’s Nations League match against the Netherlands.
Havertz is Arteta’s first choice striker. He is expected to be unavailable for Saturday’s Premier League opener against Leeds, meaning the Arsenal boss has a decision to make on who will play up front.
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Although a more natural midfielder, Merino has been approached by Arsenal to fill in as a striker in the past. He may turn to Havertz again this time because he is similar to Havertz’s style.
With days to go before the game at the Emirates Stadium, the Merinos have proved they are both ready and in scoring form. The 30-year-old started Spain’s Nations League game against Croatia on the bench on Tuesday evening.
But it turned around as the World Champions trailed 1-0 at half-time. He returned that confidence by scoring Spain’s equalizer in the 61st minute.
Merinos then completed the turnaround in the 88th minute. In one move, he received the ball on the turn before firing a left-footed shot beyond the keeper.
It is not clear whether Merino will be Arsenal’s replacement for Havertz during his injury, however long that may be. He has a rival in Victor Gokeres.
The striker has also been on international duty, representing Sweden in the Nations League. He started all four games of the national team and scored a goal in each one.
This means he will also feel highly confident and sharp in front of goal. However, while he has scored and performed well for his national team, it feels like Gyokeres still hasn’t quite clicked in Arteta’s Arsenal system since his move from Sporting CP over a year ago.
It therefore feels that Arteta may be inclined to select the Merinos, so there is less tactical transition and the team will be able to continue playing not too dissimilar to how they played when Havertz was in the team. It can simply give the midfielder an advantage over his teammate.
What Arteta will be sure of is that having two options to return to the Emirates Stadium fit and confident can only be a headache.