Mikel Merino reveals challenges of becoming Arsenal’s emergency striker

Mikel Merino has joked that he is “getting a taste” for playing as a makeshift striker, having admirably plugged the gap in Arsenal’s frontline left by injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Jesus (ACL) and Havertz (hamstring) were ruled out for the rest of the season in January and February respectively, leaving the Gunners without a recognised central forward.

Merino has revealed in an interview with The Guardian that the idea of him of taking that role wasn’t seriously discussed until the morning of Leicester City game, three days after Havertz’s injury, in which he did it for the first time and scored twice off the bench in a 2-0 win.

The Spain international has started all of Arsenal’s last six games up front – a deeper ‘false nine’ rather than an out-and-out striker – and netted the winner against Chelsea last time out.

Having been praised by Arsenal legend Ian Wright for what he brings to the team, Merino said after the final whistle against Chelsea that he believes he is adapting wellwhich includes seeing the game from a different perspective and engaging in different battles.

“I’m getting used to being a centre-forward, fighting with the centre-backs, them hitting you from behind,” he admitted. “You’re always at a disadvantage and they like to mark their territory, intimidate you physically. They want to ensure you’re uncomfortable and don’t have space, from first minute to last – even if the ball’s not there.

“It’s more mental than midfield because it’s a more direct duel. But I’m adapting and if there’s one thing I’ve always been it’s a battler: I like the contact, I never back down.”

But Merino, having also previously expressed that he doesn’t feel there is pressure on him to score goals, suggested that his purpose on the pitch hasn’t changed all that much.

“My job has always been to facilitate others,” he said. “See where people are, where the free man is, understand if I have to participate or move to help a teammate (without touching the ball).”

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