Arsenal

2025 - 2 - 16

When Life Gives You Lemons, Become Arsenal's Striker!

Mikel Merino Arsenal - Chloe Kelly - Football - Kai Havertz - Leicester City - Mikel Merino - Premier League - Women's Super League

Arsenal's Mikel Merino surprises everyone by scoring a match-winning brace as a makeshift striker! Can he save the Gunners from their striker crisis?

Arsenal's Mikel Merino took the Premier League by storm last weekend, surprising not only himself but also football fans everywhere by stepping into the role of a striker against Leicester City. Having never graced the pitch in the No. 9 jersey before, Merino's late brace secured a crucial 2-0 victory for the Gunners as they closed the gap behind league leaders Liverpool. It's fair to say that most players have a preferred position, but Mikel just proved that sometimes, surprise tactics can lead to celebration!

The performance not only showcased Merino’s versatility but also highlighted Arsenal’s ongoing struggle with injuries, particularly with strikers. Coach Mikel Arteta must have been wondering how many more curveballs 2023 could throw at him, but after watching Merino score not once but twice, he might just need to rethink his squad strategy. After dominating the post-match interviews, it seems Merino could very well be the unexpected solution to Arsenal's striking woes.

Meanwhile, Leicester City suffered yet another setback, veering further off course in their quest to find form. With Arsenal nipping at the heels of Liverpool, this loss brings in significant doubts about the Foxes' survival instincts in the league. They may want to take a cue from the Gunners' resilience to push through their own struggles.

As Arsenal fans have reason to cheer, watching Merino transition from midfielder to striker without missing a beat could usher in a new era for the team. With his determination and unexpected skills on display, who knows? Perhaps every team needs a wildcard like Mikel Merino to shake things up!

And speaking of surprises, did you know the role of a professional striker was once performed predominantly by forwards who had to juggle their roles between various positions? Historically, strikers were often labeled as ‘inside forwards’ during the early days of football. Additionally, Mikel Merino is now one of the rare few in recorded history to score a brace on his debut as a center-forward - a brilliant feather in his cap that could lead Arsenal through tougher times ahead!

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Image courtesy of "ESPN Australia"

Arsenal's Mikel Merino 'surprised' by match-winning striker role - ESPN (ESPN Australia)

Arsenal match winner Mikel Merino has admitted it was a surprise to come on as a striker against Leicester City having never played in the position before.

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Image courtesy of "The Mercury"

Arsenal close gap as City find ominous touch before Reds clash (The Mercury)

Arsenal ignored their injury woes to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool as Mikel Merino inspired a 2-0 win against Leicester, ...

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Image courtesy of "Arsenal.com"

Every word from Arteta's post-Leicester presser | Press conference ... (Arsenal.com)

Mikel Merino dominated the post-match talk after his late brace earned us all three points against Leicester. Mikel Arteta was naturally asked about his ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Can Mikel Merino be the solution to Arsenal striker crisis? (BBC News)

Mikel Merino makes his case to be Arsenal's striker solution after his match-winning heroics in the vital win at Leicester City, says BBC Sport Chief ...

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Image courtesy of "Premier League"

Merino's brace as Arsenal's No 9 cuts gap at the top to four points (Premier League)

Arsenal moved four points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after Mikel Merino's late double saw off struggling Leicester City 2-0.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Leicester City v Arsenal: Premier League – live (The Guardian)

Minute-by-minute report: Join Rob Smyth for all the latest news as the struggling Foxes entertain title-chasing Arsenal.

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Image courtesy of "Arsenal.com"

Adam Birchall on big Southampton win | Interview | News (Arsenal.com)

Under-18s head coach Adam Birchall was delighted with our performance in a big 5 - 2 win over Southampton on Saturday. Despite going a goal down after 16 ...

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Image courtesy of "Pain In The Arsenal"

Arsenal happy to quieten the 'noise' with Leicester win (Pain In The Arsenal)

Arsenal managed to put all of the drama of Kai Havertz's injury behind them to get a much-needed win over Leicester.

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Image courtesy of "Arsenal.com"

Highlights: Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal | Video | News (Arsenal.com)

Two late goals from substitute Mikel Merino gave us all three points away to Leicester City on Saturday. The Spaniard came off the bench to break the ...

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Image courtesy of "Arsenal.com"

Women 5 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur Women - Match Report (Arsenal.com)

We remained unbeaten at home in the north London derby with a 5-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

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Image courtesy of "Tottenham Hotspur"

Confirmed line-ups | Arsenal vs Spurs (WSL) (Tottenham Hotspur)

We can confirm the starting line-ups and substitutes for this afternoon's Barclays Women's Super League clash with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (12.30pm UK).

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo Sports"

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur LIVE: Women's Super League latest ... (Yahoo Sports)

Attempt saved. Caitlin Foord (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Katie McCabe with a ...

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Image courtesy of "Fijivillage"

Arsenal narrow gap to Liverpool after Merino's late double secures ... (Fijivillage)

Arsenal closed to within four points of English Premier League leaders Liverpool as substitute Mikel Merino's two late goals secured a 2-0 victory against ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Arsenal 5-0 Tottenham: Women's Super League – as it happened (The Guardian)

Alessia Russo scored and Chloe Kelly came off the bench as Arsenal eased to victory at the Emirates.

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Image courtesy of "ESPN"

Arsenal 5-0 Spurs (Feb 16, 2025) Game Analysis - ESPN (ESPN)

Expert recap and game analysis of the Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur English Women's Super League game from February 16, 2025 on ESPN.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Chloe Kelly: Happy return for Arsenal forward in fresh start (BBC News)

Chloe Kelly waited a long time - but her return to Arsenal was worth the wait as they beat rivals Tottenham 5-0 in the Women's Super League.

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo Sports"

Kim Little returns after surgery as Arsenal thrash Tottenham (Yahoo Sports)

Kim Little returned to the Arsenal squad after recovering from surgery on her hand as the team demolished Tottenham 5-0 at the Emirates on Sunday.

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Image courtesy of "Hayters TV"

Arsenal thrash Tottenham 5-0 as Chloe Kelly features: Five Things ... (Hayters TV)

Arsenal delivered a dominant performance in the Women's Super League north London derby, with Chloe Kelly making her second debut.

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Image courtesy of "Football.London"

Mikel Arteta transfer regret as former Arsenal star scores second hat ... (Football.London)

Latest Arsenal news with Mikel Arteta perhaps regretting the sale of Mika Biereth as he continues to score.

Arsenal hit five past Tottenham but Chelsea maintain seven-point ... (Yahoo Eurosport UK)

Chloe Kelly makes Arsenal debut before Lauren James scores late winner for leaders Chelsea.

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Image courtesy of "Pain In The Arsenal"

Mikel Merino credits 'small details' as catalyst for Arsenal brace vs ... (Pain In The Arsenal)

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino knows the fine margins of football helped him secure a brace against Leicester City.

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