Premier League legend Alan Shearer is confident Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will turn to one man in particular to lead the line against West Ham United this weekend amid the club’s injury crisis.
In January, the Gunners lost Gabriel Jesus for the remainder of the campaign after he suffered a cruciate ligament tear in the defeat to Manchester United. Then, during their recent warm weather training camp in Dubai, Kai Havertz suffered a hamstring injury which has sidelined him for the remainder of the season too.
Having not signed a striker in the winter window, the Gunners have been left without clear options to lead their attack. Against Leicester City, the bluntness of their strikeforce was evident with Leandro Trossard spearheading the team.
However, Mikel Merino’s move from the bench to upfront paid dividends as he scored twice to secure an important victory for the Gunners. Ahead of Arsenal’s return to action in the Premier League on Saturday, Shearer told Betfair that he would predict that Merino will be starting as the centre-forward against the Irons.
“Arsenal have got their own problems as well, particularly in forward positions, so it will be interesting to see how they cope and get on,” the Match of the Day pundit explained. “For large parts last weekend against Leicester they were struggling, until they brought Mikel Merino on.
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
“After the game and scoring two goals, he said he’s hardly ever played striker before in his life. I suspect he will play there again because he offered more than Raheem Sterling did – putting Trossard on the left, taking Sterling off and bringing Merino on, they looked a more settled outfit.
“I suspect that they will start Merino again in that position this weekend, and let’s see.” If Arsenal were to be victorious over Graham Potter’s side on Saturday, they would move to within five points of leaders Liverpool.
Arne Slot’s men do not play until Sunday afternoon when they travel to Manchester City.
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