{"id":1417213,"date":"2025-12-05T09:15:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T09:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1417213"},"modified":"2025-12-16T12:39:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T12:39:44","slug":"tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/","title":{"rendered":"Mikel Merino analysis: How Arsenal\u2019s unlikely frontman has become Arteta\u2019s most reliable attacking force"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/arsenal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arsenal<\/a> eased to a 2-0 win over Brentford in midweek.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Gunners responded perfectly to Manchester City\u2019s 5-4 win at Fulham on Tuesday. Indeed, they head into the weekend\u2019s action five points clear at the top of the table. Mikel Merino broke the deadlock early on against the Bees before Bukayo Saka confirmed the three points late on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-mr-dependable-the-unlikely-driving-force-behind-title-push\" data-level=\"3\">&#8216;Mr Dependable&#8217; the unlikely driving force behind title push<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-merino-excelling-as-focal-point-of-arsenal-s-attack\" data-level=\"3\">Merino excelling as focal point of Arsenal&#8217;s attack<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-spaniard-s-selflessness-key-for-the-gunners\" data-level=\"3\">Spaniard&#8217;s selflessness key for the Gunners<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Arsenal hardly had to step out of second gear to ground a much-changed Bees side. Having drawn two of the previous three league matches, they needed to claim all the spoils to really get the title push back on track. And they did so with Mikel Arteta\u2019s \u2018Mr Dependable\u2019 coming up trumps again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not only did Merino score the opener at the Emirates on Wednesday, the Spaniard provided the assist for Saka\u2019s late strike. Once again, the 29-year-old is coming up trumps for Arteta when needs must.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mr-dependable-the-unlikely-driving-force-behind-title-push\">&#8216;Mr Dependable&#8217; the unlikely driving force behind title push<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When Arsenal signed Merino 18 months\u2019 ago, few expected the Spain international to feature frequently. Fewer still imagined he\u2019d be leading the charge for the north London side. And yet, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus ruled out last season, Merino was the focal point of the attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Merino scored 11 league and European goals for Arsenal in his debut campaign at the Emirates. Four of those came across 11 outings as the starting striker. Of course, the Gunners sought to rectify their forward issues over the summer. In came Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting as a top-level option in attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Swede is Arsenal\u2019s joint-top scorer with four league goals to his name, but was forced into a spell on the sidelines last month. With Havertz and Jesus also missing, Arteta again turned to Merino. The former Real Sociedad man hasn\u2019t let his manager down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-merino-excelling-as-focal-point-of-arsenal-s-attack\">Merino excelling as focal point of Arsenal&#8217;s attack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wednesday marked Merino\u2019s fourth successive league start as the leading frontman in Arteta\u2019s favoured 4-3-3 setup. In that time, he\u2019s scored twice and provided three assists. He bagged a brace in the role against Slavia Prague last month. No Arsenal player has now been directly involved in more league goals than Merino (6) in the 2025-26 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question, then, will be whether he should be now considered Arsenal\u2019s first choice frontman? It\u2019s a predicament for Arteta, who first used Merino as a striker when Havertz suffered a hamstring injury last February. Crucially is that he offers an attacking alternative to Gyokeres in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Sweden international is a much-needed presence in the opposition box. Supporters were pining for a striker who would deliver in the penalty area. Admittedly, Gyokeres doesn\u2019t operate as a conventional number nine, and will often chase balls down the channels. The immense work rate allows Arsenal to peg defences back.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"QZ-yukTPlBd6ApWIuHDzq\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even so, Gyokeres is averaging 6.7 touches in the opposition box per 90. In total, the former Sporting man is having 26 touches per 90. By comparison, Merino is making just 2.8 touches in the opposition box per 90. He managed just four against Brentford on Wednesday. In addition, Merino is averaging 48.6 touches per 90. Granted, his numbers will be skewed by his midfield outings. And yet, he still had 54 touches in the win over the Bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-spaniard-s-selflessness-key-for-the-gunners\">Spaniard&#8217;s selflessness key for the Gunners<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is what makes Merino such an effective player for Arteta. He shows that desire to drop deep that frees up space for the wingers to utilise. Arteta is known to favour forwards to perform selflessly for the benefit of the collective, and Merino does so superbly. What\u2019s more, even as the Euro 2024 winner leads the charge, he\u2019s still more than willing to get stuck in for the good of the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A willingness to help out in midfield means Merino is averaging 2.4 tackles per 90. Only Jurrien Timber (3) is making more of all Arsenal players in the Premier League this season. Only right-back Ben White (6) made more tackles than Merino (5) against Brentford. There is also the link up play that has proven hugely beneficial to Arteta\u2019s side.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04183356\/MerinoTouchMap_04122025-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1417215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04183356\/MerinoTouchMap_04122025-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04183356\/MerinoTouchMap_04122025-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04183356\/MerinoTouchMap_04122025-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04183356\/MerinoTouchMap_04122025-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04183356\/MerinoTouchMap_04122025-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04183356\/MerinoTouchMap_04122025-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04183356\/MerinoTouchMap_04122025-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04183356\/MerinoTouchMap_04122025-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04183356\/MerinoTouchMap_04122025-32x40.jpg 32w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04183356\/MerinoTouchMap_04122025.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gyokeres helps out in different ways on the ball but Merino is able to knit the play together. The latter is making considerably more passes per 90 (32) than the former (12.1). This is a huge advantage that comes with utilising a midfielder on the frontline. With the impetus to drop into midfield to win the ball, Merino is able to influence Arsenal\u2019s overall play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe was immense again today,\u201d Arteta beamed at full time when quizzed on Merino in midweek. With Gyokeres and Jesus back in training, and Havertz closing in on a return to fitness, the trio have a tough task on their hands to dislodge Merino on the Arsenal frontline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Offering midfield superiority combined with his form in front of goal, Merino is rightly Arteta\u2019s first choice forward. He deserves to keep his place when Arsenal face Aston Villa on Saturday, and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-articles-list\">\n                    <h2 class=\"sq-heading-line\">Latest Features<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"sq-cards\">\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-player-stats-leaders-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/20144356\/world-cup-stats-leaders-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"World Cup stat leaders: Who led the key metrics?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-player-stats-leaders-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup 2026 player stat leaders: Who led the key metrics?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">3 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/squawka-writers-world-cup-team-of-the-tournament\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/18155716\/writers-pick-team-of-tournament-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"We asked Squawka writers to name their World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournaments\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/squawka-writers-world-cup-team-of-the-tournament\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    We asked Squawka writers to name their World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournaments                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">6 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-final-stats-you-might-have-missed-spain-argentina\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/20111854\/SYMHM_Spain_Argentina-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-final-stats-you-might-have-missed-spain-argentina\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup Final stats you might have missed from Spain vs Argentina                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/jackkitson\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Jack Kitson                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">11 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/2026-world-cup-team-of-the-tournament\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/20044220\/predictions_article-16x9-1-2-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/2026-world-cup-team-of-the-tournament\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    2026 World Cup Team of the Tournament: Spain dominate after lifting the trophy                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">13 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-spain-argentina-2026-world-cup-final\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/20022927\/feature_image-x-2-purple-3-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-spain-argentina-2026-world-cup-final\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Tactical analysis: How Spain gave Argentina a taste of their own medicine to win 2026 World Cup final                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">17 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-spain-vs-argentina-19-07-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/19232058\/3F2NYEK-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ferran Torres celebrates vs Argentina\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-spain-vs-argentina-19-07-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Spain vs Argentina Stats and Analysis: How La Roja won the 2026 World Cup Final                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/benmcaleer\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Ben McAleer                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">23 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-final-stats-you-might-see-spain-vs-argentina-19-07-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/17155946\/feature_image-x2-circle-purple-5-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-final-stats-you-might-see-spain-vs-argentina-19-07-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup Final 2026: Stats you might see in Spain vs Argentina tonight                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/jackkitson\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Jack Kitson                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/england-questions-to-answer-euro-2028\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/17135518\/ThomasTuchel17072026_ID3F20Y1G-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"England analysis: Five questions Three Lions need to answer before Euro 2028\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/england-questions-to-answer-euro-2028\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    England analysis: Five questions Three Lions need to answer before Euro 2028                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-spain-vs-argentina-key-players\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/18211019\/feature_image-x-2-purple-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Spain vs Argentina: The key players to decide the 2026 World Cup Final\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-spain-vs-argentina-key-players\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Spain vs Argentina: The key players to decide the 2026 World Cup Final                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/chris-smith\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Chris Jones                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-france-vs-england-18-07-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/19002415\/3F2GYJX-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"France vs England stats and analysis: Three Lions secure third place in remarkable Bronze Final\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-france-vs-england-18-07-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    France vs England stats and analysis: Three Lions secure third place in remarkable World Cup Bronze Final                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/chris-smith\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Chris Jones                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/lionel-messi-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/17144459\/LionelMessi17072026_ID3F21FFA-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Lionel Messi analysis: Why Argentina&#039;s best can further cement himself as football&#039;s GOAT\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/lionel-messi-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Lionel Messi analysis: Why Argentina&#8217;s best can further cement himself as football&#8217;s GOAT                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/spain-vs-argentina-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/18095952\/spain-vs-argentina-penalty-shootout-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Spain vs Argentina penalty analysis: Who will win if World Cup Final goes all the way?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/spain-vs-argentina-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Spain vs Argentina penalty analysis: Who will win if World Cup Final goes all the way?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/rodri-spain-world-cup-analysis-midfield-importance\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/15141443\/Rodri15072026_ID3F1RK4F-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/rodri-spain-world-cup-analysis-midfield-importance\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Spain analysis: Rodri&#8217;s under-the-radar importance in run to World Cup Final                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/france-vs-england-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/18095955\/france-vs-england-penalty-shootout-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"France vs England penalty analysis: Who will win if third-place play-off goes all the way?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/france-vs-england-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    France vs England penalty analysis: Who will win if third-place play-off goes all the way?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/premier-league-transfers-confirmed-2026-summer-window\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/13172410\/Elliot-Anderson130726_ID3ERBHRC-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Every Premier League transfer confirmed Elliot Anderson\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/premier-league-transfers-confirmed-2026-summer-window\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Every confirmed Premier League transfer in the 2026 summer window                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/andrewfrancis\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Andy Francis                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">3 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-comparison-matrix\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16130652\/DaniOlmo16072026_ID3F1X23DCristianRomero16072026_ID3F22DN2-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-comparison-matrix\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Spain vs Argentina: The Comparison Matrix combined XI for World Cup Final                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">3 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arsenal eased to a 2-0 win over Brentford in midweek. The Gunners responded perfectly to Manchester City\u2019s 5-4 win at Fulham on Tuesday. Indeed, they head into the weekend\u2019s action five points clear at the top of the table. Mikel Merino broke the deadlock early on against the Bees before Bukayo Saka confirmed the three&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1417214,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Mikel Merino has emerged as Arsenal\u2019s most reliable forward, delivering goals, assists and midfield control as he leads Arteta\u2019s attack.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1417213","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Mikel Merino analysis: How Arsenal\u2019s unlikely frontman has become Arteta\u2019s most reliable attacking force | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Mikel Merino has emerged as Arsenal\u2019s most reliable forward, delivering goals, assists and midfield control as he leads Arteta\u2019s attack.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mikel Merino analysis: How Arsenal\u2019s unlikely frontman has become Arteta\u2019s most reliable attacking force\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Mikel Merino has emerged as Arsenal\u2019s most reliable forward, delivering goals, assists and midfield control as he leads Arteta\u2019s attack.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Squawka | EN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-16T12:39:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04182850\/MikelMerino04122025_3D94A47-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1709\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@squawka\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ben McAleer\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d83177c024444113f28c89f65fde90b4\"},\"headline\":\"Mikel Merino analysis: How Arsenal\u2019s unlikely frontman has become Arteta\u2019s most reliable attacking force\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-05T09:15:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-16T12:39:44+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":885,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/04182850\\\/MikelMerino04122025_3D94A47-scaled.jpg\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"accessibilityFeature\":[\"tableOfContents\"]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\\\/\",\"name\":\"Mikel Merino analysis: How Arsenal\u2019s unlikely frontman has become Arteta\u2019s most reliable attacking force | Squawka | EN\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/04182850\\\/MikelMerino04122025_3D94A47-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-05T09:15:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-16T12:39:44+00:00\",\"description\":\"Mikel Merino has emerged as Arsenal\u2019s most reliable forward, delivering goals, assists and midfield control as he leads Arteta\u2019s attack.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/04182850\\\/MikelMerino04122025_3D94A47-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/04182850\\\/MikelMerino04122025_3D94A47-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1709,\"caption\":\"3D94A47 Arsenal's Mikel Merino (centre) celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Wednesday December 3, 2025.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Squawka\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Features\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Mikel Merino analysis: How Arsenal\u2019s unlikely frontman has become Arteta\u2019s most reliable attacking force\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"Squawka | EN\",\"description\":\"Football News, Stats, and More...\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d83177c024444113f28c89f65fde90b4\",\"name\":\"Ben McAleer\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Ben McAleer\"},\"description\":\"Ben has over 15 years\u2019 worth of experience in the world of football writing and has previously featured on The Guardian, The Independent, Sky Sports, The Irish Examiner, talksport, and more. Ben is, for his sins, a Tottenham fan with a soft spot for Barnet.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/benmcaleer1\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/author\\\/benmcaleer\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Mikel Merino analysis: How Arsenal\u2019s unlikely frontman has become Arteta\u2019s most reliable attacking force | Squawka | EN","description":"Mikel Merino has emerged as Arsenal\u2019s most reliable forward, delivering goals, assists and midfield control as he leads Arteta\u2019s attack.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Mikel Merino analysis: How Arsenal\u2019s unlikely frontman has become Arteta\u2019s most reliable attacking force","og_description":"Mikel Merino has emerged as Arsenal\u2019s most reliable forward, delivering goals, assists and midfield control as he leads Arteta\u2019s attack.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/","og_site_name":"Squawka | EN","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/","article_modified_time":"2025-12-16T12:39:44+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1709,"url":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04182850\/MikelMerino04122025_3D94A47-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@squawka","twitter_misc":{"Estimated reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/"},"author":{"name":"Ben McAleer","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/d83177c024444113f28c89f65fde90b4"},"headline":"Mikel Merino analysis: How Arsenal\u2019s unlikely frontman has become Arteta\u2019s most reliable attacking force","datePublished":"2025-12-05T09:15:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-16T12:39:44+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/"},"wordCount":885,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04182850\/MikelMerino04122025_3D94A47-scaled.jpg","inLanguage":"en-GB","accessibilityFeature":["tableOfContents"]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/","url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/","name":"Mikel Merino analysis: How Arsenal\u2019s unlikely frontman has become Arteta\u2019s most reliable attacking force | Squawka | EN","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04182850\/MikelMerino04122025_3D94A47-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2025-12-05T09:15:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-16T12:39:44+00:00","description":"Mikel Merino has emerged as Arsenal\u2019s most reliable forward, delivering goals, assists and midfield control as he leads Arteta\u2019s attack.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04182850\/MikelMerino04122025_3D94A47-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/04182850\/MikelMerino04122025_3D94A47-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1709,"caption":"3D94A47 Arsenal's Mikel Merino (centre) celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Wednesday December 3, 2025."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mikel-merino-arsenal-forward\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Squawka","item":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Features","item":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Mikel Merino analysis: How Arsenal\u2019s unlikely frontman has become Arteta\u2019s most reliable attacking force"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/","name":"Squawka | EN","description":"Football News, Stats, and More...","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/d83177c024444113f28c89f65fde90b4","name":"Ben McAleer","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Ben McAleer"},"description":"Ben has over 15 years\u2019 worth of experience in the world of football writing and has previously featured on The Guardian, The Independent, Sky Sports, The Irish Examiner, talksport, and more. Ben is, for his sins, a Tottenham fan with a soft spot for Barnet.","sameAs":["https:\/\/x.com\/benmcaleer1"],"url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/benmcaleer\/"}]}},"yoast_title":"","yoast_description":"Mikel Merino has emerged as Arsenal\u2019s most reliable forward, delivering goals, assists and midfield control as he leads Arteta\u2019s attack.","yoast_keyword":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features\/1417213","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/features"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3564"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features\/1417213\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1417214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1417213"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1417213"},{"taxonomy":"features-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features-category?post=1417213"},{"taxonomy":"squawka-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/squawka-category?post=1417213"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}