Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta needs to think outside of the box for the Gunners with Viktor Gyokeres ruled out for the Champions League clash against Slavia Praha on Tuesday night
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Mikel Merino of Arsenal issues instructions to teammate Viktor Gyokeres during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Arsenal Stadium on October 01, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Mikel Merino could be asked to play up front again for Arsenal with Viktor Gyokeres injured
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Viktor Gyokeres has been ruled out of Arsenal's clash against Slavia Praha with what Mikel Arteta has described as a 'concerning' injury issue after the Sweden international was withdrawn at half-time in the 2-0 win over Burnley.
Gyokeres is to undergo further assessment after picking up a muscle injury on Sunday. The issue marred an otherwise fine afternoon for Arsenal, with Gyokeres ending to a five-match goalless run in the Premier League by netting against the Clarets to keep the north London outfit's fine form going.
When he was quizzed about the 27-year-old's issue, Arteta admitted: "No, I am concerned because he hasn't had many muscular issues and he needed to leave the pitch and he was feeling something. That's obviously never a good sign, especially for a player that is very, very explosive.
"So we are digging in a little bit more to understand where we are in terms of the injury and we'll announce the moment we know."
It leaves Arsenal in a familiar position; one that the transfer of Gyokeres was meant to solve to a certain extent. Arteta is once again left without an out-and-out forward with his favoured deputy, Kai Havertz, also unavailable - and that could force the Spaniard into deploying Mikel Merino as an emergency No 9 again.
Merino took on the responsibility on last term amid an injury crisis and fared reasonably well. The ex-Newcastle and Real Sociedad midfielder scored six goals in 12 outings while leading the line and provided an additional three assists.
The 29-year-old provides a physical presence and focal point but is still pretty fresh to the position. "Mikel really wants to do well. He has never played that position before, but he is scoring goals," said Arteta in March.
Mikel Merino celebrates
Merino scored against Chelsea last term and impressed while playing as an emergency No 9
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“He is a really dangerous player in the box and he can help us. Really pleased, even physically it is a very different game to play as a nine."
Merino, who replaced Gyokeres against Burnley, doesn't feel any additional burden. "It's different to playing as a midfielder, but I don't feel that pressure to be honest," he said.
"The main thing for me is trying to help the team with small details, from pressing to positioning myself in the best spot for my team-mates. It's a different role from what I'm used to but I think I'm adapting pretty good."