Should Merino be Arsenal's number nine?

When Mikel Merino joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad in August 2024, few thought they would ever ask if he could be their number nine.

He arrived at Emirates Stadium as a 28-year-old Spain international midfielder with more than 200 La Liga appearances and a Euros title to his name. Not once had he played as a striker.

But little more than a year on, Merino is a serious contender to be Arsenal's main frontman - even taking into account the fact that some of their walking wounded are returning.

Back in February, he came on as a substitute to score twice in a 2-0 win over Leicester - the first time in his professional career that he had played as a striker.

After scoring 16 goals in 63 games for Arsenal, does his future lie in the centre-forward's role?

Merino has proved he can deliver in big games. In his past five games as a striker, he has registered three goals and two assists.

The 29-year-old is Arsenal's joint-top scorer in the Premier League in 2025 with eight goals, five coming from headers.

Merino is a physical presence too, well over 6ft, but he looks to make space for his team-mates in a different way.

He has started to drop deep into midfield to let the wingers and midfielders around him run into space, with Leandro Trossard's opening goal in the 4-1 win against Tottenham on 23 November an example of this.

Merino is a regular for his country in midfield - and at Arsenal, is considered one of the most tactically aware players in the squad.

With Brentford next up at Emirates on Wednesday before a busy festive schedule, could Arteta be considering Merino as a genuine longer-term option in attack and not just an emergency striker? The stats and performances suggest it's not out of the question.

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