Mikel Arteta has just admitted that he considered using Mikel Merino as a centre-back just a few weeks ago during Arsenal’s injury crisis.
Merino has shown incredible versatility since joining Arsenal, having played in several midfield roles and most notably up front.
Fill in the blank: Mikel Merino would have made a _____________ centre-back for Arsenal…
Last season, the Spaniard came to the rescue for Mikel Arteta’s team, filling in at number nine, when both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were injured.
Now, Arteta has explained why he almost used the 29-year-old as a defender, and his response to the manager’s request sums him up as a professional.
Mikel Arteta on Mikel Merino at centre-back
Mikel Arteta has just revealed that he considered using Mikel Merino at centre-back during Arsenal’s trip to Club Brugge.
Ahead of their trip to Belgium, the Gunners were without William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera, leaving them short in defence.
In the end, Arteta opted for Piero Hincapie and Christian Norgaard; however, the Spanish manager hailed his willingness to play in defence.
“I don’t see a ceiling for him because of his mentality. Mikel never gets tired of learning and asking questions. He always wants to be involved,” Arteta told DAZN.
“He’s passionate about everything football-related, the way he takes care of himself, and he wants to be a protagonist and get the maximum out of his career.
Choose one position for Mikel Merino for the rest of his career.
“I’ll tell you something – the other day I even thought about playing him at centre-back.
“Yeah, within 10 days he was going to play as a striker and as a centre-back – and he didn’t, but we were out of centre-backs. It was a Champions League game.
“I thought about it because at Borussia Dortmund under Tuchel, he played centre-back. I asked Mikel, and he said, ‘Look, I’m ready. Whatever you need’. He’s a gem.”
Mikel Merino’s father issues worrying injury update
Merino’s father has revealed that the Arsenal star has suffered a stress fracture, and currently, the timeframe is complicated.
“It’s a stress fracture, something more internal. There is a bit of uncertainty regarding the recovery time; there is no history of this type of injury,” he told El Laguero.
The 29-year-old is now a doubt for the World Cup, which is a huge blow for Spain.
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