David Raya has revealed the Arsenal squad’s reaction to Mikel Merino’s unexpected role as a striker.
The summer arrival – primarily a creative midfielder – proved crucial during the Gunners’ recent 2-0 win at Leicester, netting twice from off the bench after being brought on as a forward due to injuries which sidelined both Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Kai Havertz (hamstring). Fans at the Emirates Stadium have been left understandably frustrated at the decision not to add a striker to their ranks in the January transfer window.
And speaking with Arsenal icon David Seaman on the ‘Seaman Says’ podcast, brought you you by Betway, Raya divulged how the team is adapting to positional shifts and Merino’s potential as a regular up front.
He explained: “Obviously we have a lot of injuries and people are going to have to play in different positions. Like Mikel Merino played as a striker and then he scores two goals.”
Opening up on discussions within the Gunners camp, Raya revealed: “When I saw him coming on to play and talking to Declan Rice, they were speaking – ‘Are we playing with a false nine and a diamond, or are we playing with two strikers and then a diamond?’ ‘No, I’m a striker.’
“I was thinking, ‘he’s gonna score’. I told him after the game, ‘I said he’s gonna come on and score.’ And then minutes later he scored.”
Speaking on Merino’s adaptability, Raya also shared that assistant coach Miguel Molina had chatted with him on the same day about the possibility of playing as a striker.
Although this tactic hadn’t been practiced in training sessions, Raya was quick to praise Merino’s tactical acumen for finding the perfect spots to net goals. With a tally of 42 senior club and international goals, 15 of which have come from headers – including both strikes for Spain, one notably clinching a Euro 2024 semi-final spot – Raya highlighted Merino’s exceptional aerial ability.
He added: “He reads the game very, very well. Obviously, I know him from playing with the national team. He scored a very similar goal in the Euros against Germany and that was when he was playing as an 8. But those type of balls for him is his bread and butter. He’s so good in the air. He reaches the ball very, very well and then it’s just a fantastic header.”
(Image: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Although Raya’s commendation could seem like a green light for Merino to persist as a striker, the keeper further clarified that playing up top involves intricate challenges that may not align with Merino’s usual playing style, while the demands of the role have Arsenal’s shot-stopper fearing it won’t be a long-term solution. Raya continued: “I’m not too sure [about him playing up front every week].
“I think the demands as a striker in our team are very, very high. It’s different. It’s a different work, different pressing than that you play as an eight or as a striker. So maybe he’ll rotate with another player. But I don’t think he will start as a striker. I think if he plays, he plays an eight, and then he might go [up front].
“I don’t know how the gaffer is going to do it. I just leave that for the gaffer. That’s his decision. He will make the best decision for the team, that’s for sure.”
The Gunners, currently trailing Liverpool by eight points but with a game in hand, are aiming for their fourth consecutive league victory when they face West Ham on Saturday (3pm). And fans are eager to see how Mikel Arteta will navigate through the team’s recent spate of injuries, and whether he’ll start with Merino up front.
Leandro Trossard was used in the false nine role to begin with at Leicester, but that proved to be a failure. Raheem Sterling is another option, but he was less than impressive on the left at the King Power Stadium.
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