Jamie Carragher was blown away by what ‘absolutely fantastic’ Arsenal player did vs Chelsea

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Arsenal had an unusually poor day at the office against Chelsea, but still, the Gunners were unable to be beaten.

To some, the result was positive and to others, it was a disappointment, but what no one can argue is that it was a fair scoreline from Arsenal’s point of view.

Chelsea were reduced to ten men in the first half after Moises Caicedo’s red card, but still, the Gunners couldn’t take advantage.

The Blues were the better side, and while it was difficult to determine who Arsenal’s man of the match was, Jamie Carragher couldn’t hide his admiration for one of Mikel Arteta’s players.

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta reveals the real reason why Riccardo Calafiori was subbed off during Chelsea vs Arsenal

Jamie Carragher loved what Mikel Merino did against Chelsea

Though Viktor Gyokeres returned to the squad from injury, it was Mikel Merino who was selected to lead the line from the start.

Arteta’s decision turned out to be a wise one, as Merino scored Arsenal’s decisive equaliser, adding to his impressive goal tally this year.

Mikel Merino’s impressive record in 2025!

Mikel Merino has 28 goal contributions for club and country in 2025

Surely Merino has just proved he is Arsenal’s first-choice number nine? Who are you picking, Arsenal fans… Let us know!

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Speaking to Sky Sports about the draw, Carragher was eager to put the spotlight on Merino, whose role he celebrated. 

“Merino, listen, what a role he plays in this team. It’s absolutely fantastic, isn’t it?” Carragher said.

“The role that he plays, a goal scorer, a box crasher if you like.”

Signed as a defensive-minded midfielder, the Spaniard has become a surprise source of goals for the Gunners, playing as a striker when required.

Very few would’ve anticipated how good the 29-year-old would be in the role, so much so that now, Merino has given Arteta a decision to make with regard to Gyokeres.

Does Merino’s scoring record in 2025 make him undroppable?

Carragher was right, Merino was ‘fantastic’ against Chelsea in the number nine role, stepping up when Arsenal needed him most.

While the midfielder’s form has been positive, his showing at Stamford Bridge has only given Arteta a bit of a selection headache.

Theo Walcott thinks Arteta trusts Merino more than Gyokeres, which is a surprising statement, but equally, there’s no reason for the Arsenal manager not to trust Merino right now.

Since the start of the year, no Arsenal player has scored more than the Spaniard, whose goal contribution tally for 2025 now sits at 28 for club and country.

With Brentford up next and Gyokeres newly returning from injury, it will be fascinating to see how Arteta handles the dilemma, as based on the numbers, Merino doesn’t warrant a place on the bench.