While Mikel Merino has chipped in with important goals, he may not be the striker solution Arsenal can genuinely rely on, as was evident against Burnley.
At Turf Moor on Saturday, Viktor Gyökeres felt a niggle and had to be withdrawn at half-time, with Mikel Arteta unwilling to take any risks with his fitness. With no like-for-like replacement available, as Kai Havertz is still out injured for now, it was Merino who stepped in to fill the gap.
Merino not the ideal striker option
While the Spaniard has a knack for finding the net, he does not operate like a natural No.9. With him leading the line, Arsenal struggled to break through Burnley’s defensive block, a task Gyökeres had been managing well by pinning the centre-backs and stretching the backline vertically.
It is often overlooked, but few forwards pin defenders and open up space for others quite like the Swede. His presence gives Arsenal a directness that makes the attack more unpredictable.
So, if Merino is not the answer when Gyökeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are all unavailable, who is?
Rice as the striker
Declan Rice has hinted he could thrive in that role.
As quoted by TBR Football after the Burnley match, Arsenal’s record signing said:
“It’s important we keep scoring goals. Two goals are perfect for us. If you look at the goal as a whole, we’re defending a long throw from our own half. Big Gabi wins the ball, and I keep running with the ball. I was like a traditional number nine!”
While there are other attacking options Arteta could turn to, such as Eberechi Eze or Leandro Trossard, the idea of Rice stepping into that role is genuinely intriguing, don’t you think? Everything the Englishman does, he does with precise perfection, so it would not be too far-fetched to imagine him thriving as a false nine.
With Rice occupying that advanced role, Merino could return to his more natural position as a left-sided central midfielder, where his late runs into the box could continue to make him a scoring threat without compromising the team’s balance.
What do you think, Gooners? Could Rice really shine up front for Arsenal if given the chance?
Daniel O
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Ben White can do that very well.
An interesting proposition is who between Rice or Merino carries the greater expected goal threat? I’m of the opinion its the Spain international who it appears is often undermined. I think as our season unfolds he will continue to surprise and find the as much and equal the goal tally of Rice in all domestic and international competitions. Regardless its looking exciting for both in an arsenal shirt this season / COYG.
…surprise and find the onion basket just as much
Rice’s best traits are his passing and his defending- it is these two traits primarily that made Arsenal splash over £100m. Have you considered what the team would lose if Rice vacated his current role? Because let’s face it, Merino can’t provide half of what Rice does in the defensive and middle third. He’s more useful in the final third. How often has bailed out the team defensively with his recovery. Is it worth losing all that to see if he can be a false nine?
You don’t fix something that isn’t broken.You don’t solve a problem by creating another problem. Is Rice a world class central midfielder? YES Is Merino a world class midfielder? No Is Rice a world class false nine? No And this isn’t the time to find out. Essentially by that single move, you’ll weaken two positions. I will play the Arsenal Mascot,Gunnersaurus, at centre forward if that means allowing Rice to thrive in his best role.
Reminds of the left back problems we had in the past. We all know Saka can do a decent job at LB, but it would have been unthinkable to move one of the best right wingers in the world to LB, just because he can do a job there. Maybe Rice can do a decent job upfront but it would be madness to move him from a position he’s proven to be world class for player with lesser ability.
Relax onyango. Arteta will not pull of such madness. Rice as a midfielder allday allnight
I completely resonate with your opinion. Merino as N9 is not working and will not. There’re better options like Martinelli and Trosssard