Mikel Merino described his sudden transformation into Arsenal’s new striker because of their injury crisis as ‘crazy’ – and now has eyes on winning the Champions League.
Injuries to Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus has seen the Gunners threadbare up front, and left Merino to fill the void.
But, despite this, the north London club managed to impressively hammer PSV Eindhoven 7-1 on Tuesday night in their Champions League last 16 first leg – the club’s biggest-ever knock-out stage away win in the competition.
It’s been an experiment with mixed results, though came to fruition on Tuesday.
He said: ‘It is kind of crazy, to be honest, but at the same time, it is about having the right mentality, the right approach to the game.
Mikel Merino (centre) pictured in action for Arsenal in Tuesday’s 7-1 win at PSV Eindhoven
With Arsenal missing all their senior strikers, Merino (top row, third from left) started in attack
‘If the coach tells you to play one position, alright you have to take all your characteristics and put it on the table for the team.
‘I am trying to adapt. I am trying to do things the best way possible and, obviously, some days will be better, some days will be worse – but the work is there every day, the grind.’
Arsenal are one of the favourites to go all all the way in Europe, which has only been further bolstered by the thrashing of PSV.
On their chances of winning the competition, Merino said: ‘I think it has to be the goal of every single team in this tournament – and it is ours, for sure.
‘We are here to win, to win every single game, and if we do what we know we can do, in the end I think we will be close to winning it.’
Prior to February, the defensive midfielder last played as an attacker when he was at school.
‘It was a long time ago, I was seven years old,’ he explained.
‘I was in my school team, with the kids there. I mean, I was playing everywhere, not only as a striker. It was five kids running around on the pitch!
Merino scored the fifth goal of his Gunners career and also provided an assist in Eindhoven
Former Real Sociedad midfielder Merino pictured celebrating with his Arsenal team-mates
‘But now is the time I am playing as a striker and it is something new for me. I am trying to adapt the best way possible. I have been lucky enough to score and assist today (against PSV), so I think I am helping the team. I am doing the best I can.’
The Spaniard has benefitted from occupying different positions previously in midfield, which has helped him adapt. The tutelage from manager Mikel Arteta is also a factor.
He added: ‘I have been talking with the analysts, the boss as well. I pride myself in trying to understand what happens on the pitch, not only in my position as a No 8, but also other positions of other team-mates.
‘I think understanding what happens on the pitch in other situations also helps you in your role. So, I can understand what a striker has to do in this team. At the same time, I think the other team-mates understand what the No 8 has to do. It’s a group thing.
‘Everybody knows what everybody has to do, and that’s the way we work and it’s really helpful for me now.’
