Mikel Arteta resisted any temptation to replace Mikel Merino as Arsenal’s number nine away to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
Before the game, there was credible thought for the Arsenal manager to try something different – Merino had struggled to make an impact in two goalless performances for the Gunners.
Arteta doesn’t have much else in reserve, but there was the option to play Leandro Trossard centrally with Raheem Sterling starting on the left.
Of course, it almost felt as if any Arsenal attacking combination would have torn apart PSV’s unwitting defence on the night, a hapless performance at the back by Peter Bosz’s side.
Although, Merino does deserve credit for how he was able to hold up the play for those who were thriving around him, and the Spaniard also took his goal superbly.
Alan Shearer seriously impressed by Mikel Merino’s work-rate against PSV
That being said, Alan Shearer gave his review of Merino’s performance when covering the game for Amazon Prime Sport.
Shearer was asked what he thought of Merino’s latest makeshift display as a striker, a display he was quietly impressed by.
The pundit said that the midfielder ‘worked extremely hard’ up top, a performance which improved the midfielders around him.
Shearer said: “He done the job really well tonight, whether he enjoys playing there, he’s got to do that for the team hasn’t he.
“But yeah he’s done everything that he could of done, he’s brought people into the game, he’s worked extremely hard, he got his goal, albeit with terrible defending, it’s not his fault – he was there to stick it away.”
Merino likely to keep his starting spot at Old Trafford
Of course, when playing as a striker for Arsenal, Merino does now have three goals in four games – it’s not a poor return by any means.
And it would now be a big surprise if the Spaniard wasn’t up top between Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Alongside Nwaneri, Eddie Nketiah was seriously impressed by Myles Lewis-Skelly against PSV – the Hale End duo really are exciting everyone connected with Arsenal.
Lewis-Skelly narrowly avoided a red card against the Dutch side after committing a fairly significant foul shortly after receiving a yellow.
However, Martin Odegaard said Lewis-Skelly remained in good spirits despite Arteta substituting the youngster in the first half of the 7-1 win, a decision he seemed to fully understand.
