Arsenal star Mikel Merino might just be the most complete footballer on the planet.
The Spain international was one of the most efficient midfielders in La Liga at Real Sociedad, where he made a tremendous name for himself.
Arsenal signed Merino in 2024 to play in the middle of the park, but injuries and lack of options forced Mikel Arteta to use him as a striker. It was a brave decision at the time, but it has truly paid off.
Arteta, however, isn’t the only manager to play Merino in an unusual position. England boss Thomas Tuchel did it too, many years ago.
Which is Mikel Merino’s best position at Arsenal?
What happened when Thomas Tuchel used Arsenal star Mikel Merino as a centre-back?
Before joining Arsenal, Mikel Merino played for Osasuna, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United and Real Sociedad.
The Spaniard enjoyed his time at most of those clubs, but his spell in Germany was a complete disaster.
Merino joined Dortmund in the summer of 2016, and he was there for just one season. Tuchel was the manager of the Bundesliga giants at the time, and he used him in just nine games.
In three of those nine fixtures, the current England boss used Merino as a left-sided centre-half in a back three – home and away against Hertha Berlin and also against Augsburg at the Westfalenstadion.
Tuchel didn’t have the success that Arsenal manager Arteta has had with changing Merino’s position. The Gunners have thrived with the Spaniard up top, but Dortmund struggled in those three games.
They drew the two home fixtures and were beaten by Hertha away from home.
Has Mikel Merino become undroppable at Arsenal or should Viktor Gyokeres come straight back in? Tell us what you think and why!
Mikel Arteta will soon have a big headache at Arsenal
Arteta recently revealed that he had nightmares when Arsenal added Viktor Gyokeres to their strike force during the summer transfer window.
The Arsenal manager claimed that he was struggling to think how he could play the Swede while already having Kai Havertz, Merino and Gabriel Jesus available at his disposal.
Arteta hasn’t had that problem so far because of injuries, but that is about to change.
Both Gyokeres and Jesus are back from their injuries, while Havertz is also expected to return to full fitness before the end of this year.
It will be interesting to see who will be Arsenal’s first-choice striker when everyone is fit.
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