Ian Wright is full of praise for Arsenal hero Mikel Merino after he stepped up and helped the Gunners to secure a 2-0 against Leicester City last night.
Without a striker, Arsenal has refused to explore the free agency market, with Mikel Arteta insisting they will find an internal solution.
The Spanish gaffer started the game with Leandro Trossard up top and being flanked by Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling.
On the bench, the Gunners did not have another attacking option, which left fans wondering what they would do to change things up in the second half.
However, Arteta replaced the struggling Sterling with Mikel Merino, who went straight into the false nine role, with Trossard drifting to the left.
The Spaniard scored twice to seal victory for an Arsenal team that had struggled to fashion clear-cut chances before that time.

Like most Gooners, Wright wondered who would step up when the game began and he is impressed with how Merino responded to his concerns.
After the game, the Arsenal idol said on Premier League Productions:
“We said at the start of the show, who is going to come off the bench and do something? We didn’t say Mikel Merino even though his name was mentioned as one of the false nines. He came on and obviously proved his point. I’m delighted for him and for the boys, he’s come on and done the job for us.”
We needed Merino to step up today, and he did so brilliantly, what a player the Spaniard is.
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WONDER IF HAVERTZ WOULD HAVE SCORED THOSE 2 CHANCES MERINO SCORED DONT THINK SO…
Definitely not the second one.
Very pleased for merino to have had such an impact. He’s had a lot of criticism since he joined, much of it unfair imo, but I respect his attitude and approach to the game. Both goals were well finished, but the footwork for the second was particularly good imo – he had to judge the flight of the cross and make up his mind very early. I think most midfielders and many strikers would have simply swung a leg and might have missed, but he made it look routine.
👍
What are brilliant finishes. Much respect @MM
It was a lovely effort by Merino. I had always trusted and respected Mikel Arteta’s decisions, I knew he was going to find a solution.
It is a good time to detect others like Kalafiori, who could do better in front, maybe better than Kai Havertz.
Congratulations to all Arsenal Fans
Mikel merino should be strengthed to flourish in that new role for rest matches
Merino might just be the better false number nine Arsenal have.His physicality and presence speak alot.Knows how to create space, and his timing is quite good.
The second goal in particular was pure brilliance. One touch attempt to beat the keeper was a masterclass!