From the intense test conducted today between them Today, Coaching crew have finally decided to pick Him as the main man to lead our attack on Saturday after scoring a bicycle kick against me in training Today”, David Raya finally Named the ONE Arsenal player that will strike against Leicester after scoring a stunning bicycle kick goal in training Today
From the intense test conducted today between them Today, Coaching crew have finally decided to pick Him as the main man to lead our attack on Saturday after scoring a bicycle kick against me in training Today”, David Raya finally Named the ONE Arsenal player that will strike against Leicester after scoring a stunning bicycle kick goal in training Today
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has a lot of thinking to do with regards to his team selection in wake of Kai Havertz’s season-ending injury.
Arsenal have confirmed that Havertz suffered a hamstring injury at the team’s training camp in Dubai, which will need surgery ahead of a long rehabilitation period.
With the transfer window having shut at the start of February, the Gunners now have just three options available to them.
Arsenal could solely rely on their current first-team squad, promote from the Hale End academy, or look at the free agent market for cover for Havertz.
Paul Merson has now spoken about what Arteta could do in terms of centre-forward cover from the first-team players at his disposal.
The Highbury legend made it clear that one option available to Arteta should be completely ruled out.
Paul Merson urges Arsenal not to use Mikel Merino in attack
Merson, writing on Sky Sports, believes the solution to Arsenal’s front three dilemma is “staring them straight in the face”.
He believes Raheem Sterling, Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard should start in attack and drift across the front line.
Merson also urged Arsenal to avoid using Mikel Merino as an auxiliary forward, saying the £32million man is simply not a goalscorer.
“I don’t like the idea of Mikel Merino playing up front,” said Merson. “I just don’t see it working.
“I’d give Sterling a couple of games up there and I say that because of his movement. He can stretch the play and create space.
“Once the game becomes tight and compact. that plays into the hands of other teams.
“When Arsenal can open the game up, it allows Odegaard to get on the ball and make things happen.
“It gives the likes of Nwaneri and Trossard time on the ball and with that I think Arsenal will be alright.
“Playing a Merino, he’s not a Havertz. He’s not a goalscorer.
“For me, it’s staring them straight in the face. Play Sterling, Nwaneri and Trossard and I’d be telling them they can drift across the front three.”
Paul Merson’s exciting Ethan Nwaneri prediction
Merson believes Nwaneri now has an “unbelievable chance” of elevating himself to stardom now he’s set for regular game time in Havertz’s absence.
“The sky is the limit for Nwaneri as a player and now he knows he’s in the team,” wrote Merson. “Who knows? This is what superstars are made of.
“You never know if a player is really going to be a superstar until they get a consistent run of games, and this might be his moment. He’s got an unbelievable chance.”
Arteta recently revealed that he thinks Nwaneri could potentially play at No. 9 right away.
“We’re going to have to be very flexible in the front line,” Arteta said earlier in February, prior to Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli’s injuries.
“And now the ones that we have and are fit, make sure that they stay fit and they keep contributing.
“Leo can play in that position. Raheem has played in that position. Ethan, I think, can play in that position. Martinelli can play there.”
