Mikel Merino - A TRUE False 9

Merino completed a move to Arsenal in the summer of 2024 in a deal worth approximately €37.5 million ($41.9), after a successful European campaign with his national team, Spain, which saw them hoist the famous trophy after a 2-1 victory against a glory-desperate England. He played a total of 178 minutes for Spain. The most notable of these minutes was his last-minute header against Germany in the Quarter-Final. Arsenal's interest in Merino first emerged via Fabrizio Romano in July 2024.

Mikel Arteta had been a long-time admirer of Merino and Merino has been a fan of Arsenal since his childhood. In August of 2024, the move was made official. Merino arrived at Arsenal for his first training session and injured his shoulder, to the disappointment of the fans, who were of course excited to see the European champion hit the ground running. That disappointment would continue as his debut left some Arsenal fans disappointed and fans would continually discuss why Arteta decided to sign him given his somewhat lackluster performances. 

After losing strikers Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz to season-ending hamstring injuries, Arsenal fans again questioned the business done in the January window. Specifically, not buying an out-and-out striker as they pushed for the third year running to win the Premier League. On February 15th, 2025, against Leicester City, Mikel Arteta substituted Mikel Merino up front as his lone striker, who went on to score the only 2 goals of the game. The first, a header, a call back to his 119-minute winner against Germany in the Euros the year prior, and an unbelievably precise side-footed finish on the half-volley from a ball played in by Leandro Trossard. Merino has since started 10 games up top for Arsenal, scoring six and assisting two. 

Merino put the icing on the cake against reigning champions and European royalty, Real Madrid at the Emirates on Tuesday. Although the man of the match was undoubtedly given to Declan Rice for his two nefarious free-kick goals, Merino's goal has flown a bit under the radar. His technique of getting behind the ball to curl it first time (to beat none other than Thibaut Courtois) is on par with that of Rice's two free kick goals. Merino has scored more goals against Real Madrid than any other club in his career. 

Although he may not be the long-term answer to Arteta and Arsenal striker issue, he is doing a job that not only exceeds the expectations of Arsenal fans, but most of the strikers in the Premier League. Only being out scored by the likes of Omar Marmoush, João Pedro and Mohamed Salah. While the credit for scoring the goals and all-around technique goes to Merino. It was Mikel Arteta who picked him out to play up top out of the options he had. Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli (who has, of course, played there on occasion). 

With the second leg of the quarter-final against Real Madrid taking place on Wednesday, Merino is without a doubt expected to start up front again. Given this result, it's easy to forget that Arsenal is playing without many of their star players; the previously mentioned Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus and, of course, most recently, the colossal Gabriel Magalhães, who will also miss the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury. Yet, they continue to defy expectations under Arteta who has been forced to adapt to injuries all season long. Winning the Champions League is a feat of its own, but to do it with a make-shift striker in a midfielder who has never played there in his career. Well, that would surely be an achievement worthy of being cast in bronze!