Mikel Merino lit up the stadium with a dazzling hat-trick in Spain’s 6-0 victory over Turkey. He bagged two in the first half. Then put the finishing touches with a 20-yard rocket. Fans were quick to respond. Both in celebrating his goals and imagining a potential role for Arsenal playing him in a different position. Many feel the club strongly has a secret star in midfield waiting to be unleashed further up the field.
The Fans Demand a 4-4-2
Post-game, Arsenal fans jumped onto social media with a peculiar demand. They called on Mikel Arteta to give a 4-4-2 a go. The rationale was straightforward: Get Merino and Viktor Gyokeres up as a front two. The clamors were gaining pace quickly as Merino played as a striker in an injury emergency and proved his worth. Fans question now why that cannot be experimented with more often, least in his current form.
Mikel Merino as a tactical player
He is more than a goal scorer. He has been tactically aware in his playing career. When Arsenal experimented with him as a frontman before, he was effective. His class in retaining possession, bringing the ball out from midfield, and his goal-scoring ability make him a special talent. Seeing him excel at international level, many fans feel deploying him as a striker would unlock a bit more unpredictability and strength into Arsenal’s front play.
Merino in Arteta’s Quiet Experiments
Incidentally, it is something Arteta has done before. This summer, he confirmed in an interview that in training, Arsenal did mix and match different players in the striker position. Mikel was utilized by them. That flexibility indicated that the manager does appreciate versatility. He could well experiment with the idea again if form and conditions permit.
Author’s Insight
Few support radical alterations in tactic, but Merino’s form prompted them to speak up. The 4-4-2 argument with him and Gyokeres is a departure from Arteta’s usual fluidity. The 4-4-2 either remains as online debate or forms Arsenal plans in the coming days. At least, the debate itself indicates Merino’s stock on the rise—and his ability to spark fresh ideas.