Is Mikel Merino Set to Become Arsenal’s Main Striker?

Introduction to Merino’s Journey

When Mikel Merino transferred to Arsenal from Real Sociedad in August 2024, it was hard to predict that he would now be considered for the central role as the team’s number nine. The 28-year-old Spanish midfielder arrived at the Emirates Stadium boasting a wealth of experience, including over 200 La Liga matches and a European Championship title, but had never played as a striker.

A Surprising Shift in Roles

Fast-forward to now, and Merino has emerged as a viable candidate to lead Arsenal’s attack, particularly with several injured players starting to return. His most recent significant contribution came during a 1-1 draw against Chelsea, where he showcased his abilities as a makeshift striker—a position he first took on back in February. He stepped in during a time when the team was missing key forwards like Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Viktor Gyokeres.

In February, he made a spectacular impact by scoring twice as a substitute in a 2-0 victory over Leicester City, marking his debut as a forward. With 16 goals in 63 appearances for Arsenal, the question arises: Is a permanent shift to a center-forward position on the horizon for Merino?

How Merino Became a Forward Option for Arsenal

It’s not unprecedented for manager Mikel Arteta to convert midfielders into strikers. During his tenure, Kai Havertz also made the transition from midfield to a key forward role when healthy. Havertz’s combination of insight, physicality, and goal-scoring prowess made him a strong fit for the forward line, qualities that Merino also possesses.

Despite his successes, Havertz has faced scrutiny regarding his goal-scoring potential, prompting Arsenal to sign Viktor Gyokeres for £64 million. Gyokeres had an impressive record of 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting in Portugal, but his fit within Arsenal’s system has been questioned as well.

Meanwhile, Merino has risen to the occasion, scoring three goals and providing two assists in his last five games as a striker. He is Arsenal’s joint-top scorer in the Premier League for 2025, with eight of his goals, five from headers, showcasing his offensive versatility. This statistic ties him for the most headed goals in the league this year with Brentford’s Kevin Schade.

Gyokeres Returns, but Merino’s Impact Persists

With Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus returning from injuries, Arteta has more attacking options at his disposal. However, Gyokeres may not immediately reclaim his starting position. He recently rejoined the squad as a substitute against Chelsea following a month-long recovery from a hamstring issue.

During his absence, Arsenal’s offensive unit thrived with Merino as their focal point, scoring 22 goals in the games he played as a forward. In the last five matches, they netted 13 goals, with a striking 11 of them coming from open play, which has addressed concerns around their dependence on set-pieces.

Merino’s physicality, standing over six feet tall, enables him to provide different attributes to the attack compared to Gyokeres, who relies on his speed and strength to challenge defenders. Seven of Merino’s ten goals in the Premier League have come from headers, placing him among the best in the league’s history for scoring ratios from such opportunities.

He has adapted his game to drop back into midfield, allowing his teammates to exploit space more effectively. For instance, during a recent 4-1 victory against Tottenham, his play assisted Leandro Trossard for the opening goal. Eberechi Eze has also thrived alongside Merino, with recent standout performances including a hat trick against Spurs.

Merino’s tactical awareness has secured him a place in Arsenal’s leadership group. He emphasized the importance of scoring goals to contribute to the team’s success, saying, “The main thing is that it helps the team to earn a point or win games.”

The Future of Merino at Arsenal

Merino’s header against Chelsea marked his 20th goal for Spain and Arsenal in 2025, prompting Arteta to comment on his knack for being in the right places to score. With a busy fixture list approaching, including an upcoming match against Brentford, there is growing speculation about whether Arteta will consider Merino as a long-term solution for the striker position or merely as a stopgap. The evidence from his recent performances suggests that he could very well be a mainstay in Arsenal’s attack moving forward.