Arsenal’s striker dilemma deepens as rising concerns mount over Mikel Merino’s inexperience and the club’s failure to secure a proven centre-forward amid injuries.
fotnet24.net reveals that Paul Merson sharply criticized Mikel Merino’s performance, arguing he appears lost up front. Merson warned that Arsenal could slip to fifth if their striker issues persist.
Mikel Arteta has long searched for a reliable centre-forward. His mistrust in Gabriel Jesus led him to deploy Kai Havertz this season. A £60million bid for Ollie Watkins in January fell through after Aston Villa rejected the offer.
Injury woes have further destabilized Arsenal’s attack. Gabriel Jesus suffered an ACL injury. Kai Havertz now faces a serious hamstring issue that sidelines him for the season.
Mikel Merino has recently been used as a makeshift striker despite never playing in that role before. In a 1-1 draw against Manchester United, his forward deployment coincided with Declan Rice scoring for the opposition.
Merson criticizes Arsenal for not committing fully to a centre-forward during the January transfer window. He insists that no team wins without a quality striker and claims Merino lacks the necessary presence up front.
The current Premier League standings reveal a growing gap. Arsenal trail Liverpool by 15 points with a game in hand. They sit just 8 points above Man City, but a drop to fifth would be a major blow.
Looking ahead, incoming sporting director Andrea Berta is expected to prioritize a centre-forward in the summer transfer window. Football Insider reports that Benjamin Sesko is interested in joining Arsenal despite Tottenham Hotspur’s potential £58m bid, while Santiago Castro also features on the radar.
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