Darren Bent says Arsenal may now have the modern-day version of Sylvain Wiltord in their squad

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Mikel Arteta has been told he has his own version of two-time Premier League winner Sylvain Wiltord in his Arsenal squad.

Arteta is trying to assemble Arsenal’s latest edition of a Premier League title-winning squad. 

It’s been 21 years since the title was delivered to North London, as Arsene Wenger led his side a whole season unbeaten.

Part of that squad was Wiltord, who got his hands on his second Premier League medal that year, following on from his memorable first in 2002.

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Darren Bent compares Mikel Merino to Sylvain Wiltord

As a forward in an attack that boasted the likes of Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry, Wiltord was always the bridesmaid and never the bride.

That being said, the Frenchman famously caught the bouquet in 2002, scoring the match-winning goal at Old Trafford to win Arsenal the league on their rivals’ patch.

Wiltord was a player most often utilised from the bench, being a figure Wenger could rely on to impact a game when change was needed.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Darren Bent drew a comparison between Wiltord’s role at Arsenal and Mikel Merino’s, following on from the Spaniard’s goal against Newcastle. 

“I think he’s [Merino] going to be one of those players where, I’m not going to say in the same kind of vein like Wiltord, but you know how Wiltord used to come on and have that impact, and then he sometimes he’d start.”

Arteta has been scolded for starting Merino several times already this season, but when Arsenal needed him most, the midfielder stepped up to score at St James’ Park. 

Bent believes the Spain international could become Arteta’s version of Wiltord, which is an attractive vision, given that the Frenchman won two league titles with the Gunners.  

Thierry Henry said Wiltord won him the Premier League

Every team has their stars, but it’s those behind the starting XI who sometimes make all the difference.

Arteta has seen that already this season, as Arsenal’s improved squad depth has been celebrated, with the Gunners able to bring some game-changers off the bench. 

While Wiltord wasn’t the poster boy at Arsenal, he was integral, as Henry made clear when speaking to L’Equipe in 2017. 

“I won the league because Kanu, Wiltord and Ljungberg scored at the end of the season. The goal at Manchester United wasn’t me, it was Wiltord.”

Henry was referring to how those who don’t earn the spotlight can be decisive, something Bent believes Merino could provide for Arsenal’s current squad.

The team Arteta now has at his disposal should deliver major silverware, and it just might be Merino who provides that Wiltord moment later in the campaign.