“The boys were buzzing”: Arteta on how Arsenal responded to Merino’s goals | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta shared how Arsenal’s squad reacted to Mikel Merino’s unexpected brace against Leicester City, highlighting the team’s resilience amid key injuries.

As the Gunners adapted to a major attacking crisis, Arteta explained why this win could be pivotal in their season.

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With Arsenal struggling to break down a disciplined Leicester City side, Mikel Arteta turned to his bench with 20 minutes remaining. Lacking senior attacking options due to injuries to Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus, the manager made an unconventional decision – deploying Mikel Merino as an auxiliary centre-forward.

The midfielder, who had never played in the role before, delivered a stunning impact, scoring twice to secure a crucial 2-0 victory.

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Arteta, speaking after the match, admitted it was a difficult start for his team, but the second-half response was decisive. “Especially in the first half. The first 20 minutes, we weren’t at our best, giving so many balls away, so many simple things not doing it at the standards that are required. The second half was very different – the rhythm, the purpose, the quality, and then the subs that made a huge impact, especially obviously Mikel, demanding him to play in a position that he’s never played and delivering the two goals in the manner that he’s done it.”

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“The boys were buzzing for him,” Arteta said. “They were buzzing for Kai, we were just talking to him there because everybody was really down about it (his injury). And the team has a different way, different resources, different tools to win football matches and stay competitive. And today we needed that win, and especially in the manner that it happened, I think it’s going to be really helpful.”

Beyond Merino’s heroics, Arteta highlighted the influence of his captain, Martin Ødegaard, whose leadership and technical quality helped raise the team’s level after a sluggish first half. “He was tremendous.

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“I mean, everybody raised the level in the second half because the way we were playing in the first half, it wasn’t going to be enough to win it in the manner that we’ve done it. We knew that, and we stepped up the level, and I think we deserved to win the game.”

The result moved Arsenal closer to Liverpool in the Premier League title race, and for Arteta, the resilience shown at the King Power Stadium was a reminder of the squad’s adaptability. “We need to continue to go, taking all the great things that we’re doing as a team and individually, but as well, recognizing that the level that we played in the first 20, 30 minutes is not going to be enough. We have to maintain that.”