Mikel Merino reveals the three words he said right after Arsenal coaches asked him to play as a striker

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Mikel Merino has had quite a shock in his first season in the Premier League, seeing his Arsenal role altered significantly.

Merino arrived at Arsenal in the summer transfer window as a successful Euro 2024-winning midfielder.

Mikel Arteta’s preferred midfield dynamic is made up of Declan Rice and Thomas Partey but that hasn’t stopped the Spaniard from utilising Merino. 

Following Kai Havertz’s season-ending injury, Arsenal were left without an option in the number nine role, with Merino nominated to carry out the task. 

• READ MORE: Every injury Arsenal have suffered in 2024/25 including Bukayo Saka absence and more

How Mikel Merino reacted after being told of Arsenal’s striker plan

Paul Merson can’t believe that Merino is Arsenal’s striker, questioning Arteta’s decision to consistently trust the midfielder in the position. 

That being said, it’s not all been gloomy for the Spain international, as Merino was likened to Ronaldo by teammate Gabriel Martinelli – which even the player himself would admit is a little stretch from reality. 

Merino is one of the 14 Arsenal players on international duty over the March break, where he took the time to sit down for an interview with the Guardian. 

As expected, the 28-year-old was quizzed about the conversation that took place before his first taste of being a number nine in Arsenal’s win over Leicester. 

“During the morning stroll before the Leicester game, one of the analysts mentions playing as a forward, a false nine: drop to receive, ‘fix’ the centre‑backs.”

The Arsenal midfielder went on to reveal what he said in response to the surprising news.

“He asks how I feel about it, was I OK with it? And I said: ‘Whatever you need.’”

Merino then admitted that he sensed that the request was delivered to him in a calculated manner, taking into consideration his nature and the likelihood of stress occurring.

“I think they did it deliberately, not telling me until the last minute because they know I like to have everything under control, have lots of information, and by not telling me earlier they removed the stress.

“They know me: they know I want to know why we do things, exactly what movements to make, to not make, everything. If they told me sooner I would have been thinking too much, instead of letting it flow. And look: they told me late, I didn’t think much, I went out, I flowed, I scored two.”

Merino’s record since being Arsenal’s striker

As Merino stated, he went on the pitch and scored a brace, a match-winning double at the King Power to be serenaded by the away end at full time.

While Arteta has been questioned for sticking by Merino as a number nine, there have been some encouraging signs from utilising the robust midfielder as a striker.

The former Real Sociedad star has contributed to five goals in seven appearances as a striker, which will tell you that Arteta has every right to keep his experiment going.

As far as makeshift strikers go, Merino is doing a very good job however, there’s no doubt that the Spaniard will be eager to drop back when he’s relieved of his duty.