Mikel Arteta praises Mikel Merino after Arsenal beat Chelsea | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken highly of Mikel Merino after the London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners registered a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

Merino scored the only goal of the match in North London in the 20th minute.

The 28-year-old found the back of the net for Arsenal when he flicked on a curling corner from Martin Odegaard past a stretching Robert Sanchez.

Merino is a midfielder by trade, but he has been playing as a striker of late for Arsenal, who have placed a massive price-tag on defender Riccardo Calafiori amid interest from Real Madrid.

Against Chelsea in the London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Merino started as the centre-forward in a 4-3-3 formation.

His goal against Chelsea was Merino’s fifth in the Premier League this season. The Spain international has provided an assist as well.

Arteta told Arsenal’s official website when asked about Merino’s performances as a striker: “And we know that, that was the emergency situation that we are in at the moment but the way he’s approaching it is incredible, he wants to understand everything, he wants to learn from it, he’s very critical of himself all the time and at the end the reality is that he’s winning football matches for us, which is incredible. He’s never played in that position before in his life.”

When pressed on Merino’s quality of goals, Arteta noted: “Yeah and the value of it, it’s a big match and at the end you win the game because of that goal.

“He had another big chance that almost put him back on the net, so very happy with his contribution.”

View: Arsenal need to sign a top number nine

Merino must be applauded for his heroics in front of goal and Arteta too should be given credit for using him in the role as a striker for Arsenal in recent games.

However, it is dire that a club as big as Arsenal and with their resources have to use a midfielder as a centre-forward.

Gabriel Jesus has never been prolific, and even when fit, Kai Havertz has shown that he is not a natural number nine.

Arsenal simply have to sign a top-quality striker in the summer transfer window.

Of course, it is easier said than done, but the Gunners have to work hard and delve deep into the transfer market for a number nine.

Liverpool will only get better next season and Manchester City will come back stronger.

Arsenal need to reinforce their squad with a world-class striker if they are to win the Premier League title next season.