Arsenal taught ‘big lesson’ by Brighton, says boss Mikel Arteta
Arsenal taught ‘big lesson’ by Brighton, says boss Mikel Arteta
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Viktor Gyokeres' return to form and Mikel Merino’s brace have come at the perfect time for Arsenal.
Gyokeres went into the international break low on confidence and with no real positives to take from his performances in the early weeks of the season at club level.
However, for his country, it has been a different story. Gyokeres scored four goals in as many matches for Sweden and has looked far more like the ruthless striker Arsenal need.
That is very welcome news for Mikel Arteta. With Kai Havertz picking up a hamstring injury while on Germany duty, Gyokeres is set to get his chance in the Premier League. Or will he?
Havertz's injury is not believed to be a serious one but no exact timeframe for his recovery has yet been provided.
As it stands, it looks likely that Gyokeres will lead the line when Arsenal host Leeds on Saturday, an opponent he scored three times against last season. That should be another confidence boost for the forward.
Arteta also has the option to start Merino up front instead, and the Spaniard is more of an enabler in terms of combining with those around him than Gyokeres.
Option: Mikel Merino
Merino finished the international break with three goals in four appearances after scoring twice as a substitute in Spain’s comeback win over Croatia on Tuesday night.
Therefore, Arteta has been presented with a fresh, yet familiar, selection dilemma as Arsenal prepare for a return to Premier League action.
Part of the conundrum facing Arteta is that Merino is so effective at leading the line, having filled in as a striker on numerous occasions during an Arsenal injury crisis.
In a month of Premier League starts as the striker last season, Merino contributed two goals and three assists in five matches. That included a lovely assist against Tottenham and a crucial goal away at Chelsea.
However, it would be a surprise if Arteta did not turn to Gyokeres after his impressive run with Sweden. Otherwise, there would be suggestions that his Arsenal career is effectively over.