Arsenal: The stats that show why Mikel Merino should start as striker against West Ham | OneFootball

Data could be key factor as Mikel Arteta weighs up whether to start Spaniard up front this weekend

It was on a chilly November morning at Arsenal’s training ground that Mikel Merino was collared by the club’s social media team and asked a simple question.

Three months on, the Spaniard got his wish at Leicester on Saturday and that may not be the last time he is used as an emergency No9.

Merino shone in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory at the King Power Stadium, scoring both goals after coming off the bench with just over 20 minutes to go.

Super-sub: Merino made a big impact off the bench against Leicester

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The dilemma for Mikel Arteta now is whether he starts Merino up front for this weekend’s clash with West Ham, or continues to use him as an impact player from the bench.

Arsenal have just three fit forwards right now in Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are due back in the next month or so, but the Gunners will be without a recognised striker for the rest of the season as Kai Havertz (hamstring) and Gabriel Jesus (knee) will be absent for the remainder of the campaign.

Using Merino as a last resort off the bench is one thing, but picking him to lead the line from the off would be a bold call by Arteta.

Merino showed against Leicester, though, that he is a viable option and, in terms of his profile, the 28-year-old is the most similar in Arsenal’s squad to Havertz.

Arteta started with Trossard as a false nine against Leicester and the team struggled without a proper focal point to play off. Trossard also suffered and improved when he went out to the left flank.

Before Merino came on, the Belgian completed seven of his 10 open-play crosses and passes. After Merino was introduced, Trossard misplaced just one of his seven crosses and passes - and he set up the second goal.

Merino’s performance was not one based around individual brilliance, but instead about making Arsenal a more balanced side.

Merino is an option to lead the line for Arsenal after Kai Havertz was ruled out for the rest of the season

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

He completed six of his nine passes and the majority of those were just him holding the ball up and linking play. Indeed, Merino’s six passes equated to just 55 yards. Only Kieran Tierney’s passes covered less ground than that - and that was because he came on in the 89th minute.

Merino had just 15 touches during his 21-minute cameo, but he was ruthless in the box and scored with both of his shots.

Both goals were from crosses and Arsenal’s threat from those rose once they had Merino leading the line as opposed to the diminutive figure of Trossard.

Arsenal had 10 open-play crosses against Leicester, three of which were successful. Two of those were met by Merino and on each occasion, he scored.

Five of Arsenal’s open-play crosses came during the 69 minutes before Merino was on the pitch and only one of those was successful. That was because Declan Rice was able to get on the end of one, though, and not Trossard - who was playing as the No9 at that point.

It should not be too much of a surprise that Arsenal looked more comfortable with a striker that resembles Havertz.

Over the past year, the team has become used to playing off the German, who, before his hamstring injury earlier this month, had an impressive fitness record.

Backing Merino to lead the line in Havertz’s absence would be daring from Arteta, but there is clearly some method to what others would consider madness.