Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is receiving widespread praise for his innovative tactical decisions amidst an ongoing injury crisis, with former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin singling out one particular masterstroke.
From Midfield to Attack: Merino's Transformation
Mikel Arteta must be questioning his luck given the relentless injury problems plaguing his Arsenal squad. The Gunners' boss could be without over ten players for the upcoming trip to face Sunderland. However, the quality of the club's recruitment has ensured that performances and results have remained consistently high, despite weekly changes to the starting eleven.
The depth of the squad has been crucial, but an inspired piece of management from Arteta made a key difference in the recent 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague. Pat Nevin, the former Chelsea winger, was full of praise for midfielder Mikel Merino, who has been deployed in an unfamiliar attacking role.
"Oh, he's a joke," Nevin said of Merino. "The first one was a great, beautiful finish. It's on the volley. But it's the effortless way that he just volleys it into the side of the net, past the goalkeeper. It wasn't one of those where you hope for the best. No, he passed it on the volley, past the keeper. The other one was just a striker's attitude of following everything in. It hits his head and goes in. He's been absolutely fantastic as a backup striker. Well done, Merino, but well done, Mikel Arteta. You've lost attack-minded players, but you've got another one because you thought differently."
Arsenal's Striker Conundrum and January Plans
While Merino's successful conversion into an auxiliary striker has been a welcome surprise, it underscores a persistent issue for Arsenal. The situation highlights how vital it is for Arteta to secure reinforcements in the January transfer window.
The article points out that while Gabriel Jesus could be a solid backup, his fitness remains a concern. Furthermore, Kai Havertz, often deployed as a forward, is not a natural striker or a prolific goalscorer. The fact that Arteta has had to turn to his fourth-choice option is partly down to bad luck, but it is a scenario a top club should avoid.
In recent seasons, a lack of depth in defence and up front has arguably cost Arsenal two or three Premier League titles. This is a mistake that can be easily rectified with shrewd investment.
Potential Transfer Targets for the Gunners
The search for a reliable goalscorer is already underway. One obvious candidate mentioned is Dusan Vlahovic, whose Juventus contract expires at the end of the season. He would provide the necessary competition for Viktor Gyokeres and offer a proven goal-scoring threat.
While Arsenal's squad has few weaknesses, a team with genuine aspirations of winning the Premier League and Champions League should not be relying on a midfielder to lead the line. The need for a specialist striker in January is becoming increasingly clear.
