Arsenal legend Ian Wright has instructed that Mikel Merino is a powerful match for the ‘quantity 9’ function he is been requested to fill in latest weeks, even bringing attributes that Kai Havertz would not.
The Gunners did not have a striker when Havertz and Gabriel Jesus had been each dominated out for the remainder of the season by harm, resulting in Mikel Arteta asking Merino to play additional ahead.
The Spain worldwide has scored 4 objectives because the stand-in striker, together with Sunday’s winner towards Chelsea. However Wright defined it’s extra than simply objectives serving the group.
“What we have seen is that he is a really clever participant,” the retired star stated whereas a pundit on the Premier League‘s Matchday Stay post-game protection.
“Once you watch him, and he is linking up the play, by the point [the ball] does get to him – I watched it once more once they performed PSV – he is so composed and is aware of the place he is passing it.
“That is precisely what Arsenal want in respect of conserving the ball up in that [attacking] third. It is one thing we do not do properly as a result of we have not received a focus. Kai Havertz is not that participant both, the place he hyperlinks the play how Merino can do it. Merino does it in a manner the place he can maintain it and you’ll go and be part of him. Then, impulsively, we’re enjoying a bit additional up.”
Merino himself additionally appeared on the printed, revealing that he feels as if he’s adapting properly to the brand new function that’s being requested of him.
“It is manner totally different to enjoying as a midfielder, however not being a [natural] striker I do not really feel that stress like I ought to rating in each single recreation,” he commented.
“The principle factor for me is attempting to assist the group in small particulars, from the urgent, to positioning myself in the perfect spots for my teammates to be higher, possibly drop when it’s wanted to present some calmness with possession. It is a totally different to what I’m used to, however I believe I’m adapting very well.”
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