Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp has tipped Mikel Merino to be Arsenal’s solution as they need an option up front. 

Merino came on as a substitute in the Gunners’ 2-0 win against Leicester City on Saturday as a striker and was able to score both goals that gave Arsenal the win.

It left Mikel Arteta‘s side seven points behind league leaders Liverpool, and heading into their next game against West Ham still in with a shot of the title.

Due to a recent injury to Kai Havertz, Arteta had to be creative with his striker choice as he doesn’t have a fit one available. Merino could become the solution considering his performance on Saturday.

Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp says that Arteta could use Merino as a striker going forward.

He said to BetVictor: “Talk about a super-sub, that was unbelievable against Leicester. I know he’s is a midfielder, but he took his two goals very well and Mikel Arteta might have just stumbled across another striker option for a team that lacks goals.”

Merino’s goal tally for the season is now up to four in the Premier League after making 17 appearances, but it could continue to rise should Arteta use him as a striker.

How would Merino work for Arsenal as a striker?

The Spanish international is a central midfielder through and through, and he has never scored more than five goals in a league season before.

However, if Arteta decides to use him up top, Merino could act as a false nine, helping the likes of Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri on the wings.

If Merino draws the ball into him as a target striker, and then becomes the creative outlet to play the ball to the wingers, it could help the Gunners create chances on the counter-attack easily.

The question will be whether Merino is up to the challenge of playing in that high up position, especially considering his career scoring record is nothing special.

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