Declan Rice and William Saliba react to Mikel Merino announcement at Arsenal
Declan Rice and William Saliba were among the Arsenal players to react to an announcement made by the club regarding Mikel Merino.
Merino has been a revelation for the Gunners this season, stepping up as a makeshift striker amid an injury crisis within the squad.
With Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, Mikel Arteta has been left without a recognised striker in his first-team squad. But Merino, originally brought in as a midfielder, has filled the void admirably.
Since being pushed further forward in February, he has scored six goals and brought a new dynamic to Arsenal’s front line. His ability to adapt has been crucial in what’s been a challenging season for the team’s attack, and his performances have not gone unnoticed by supporters or his teammates.
| Season statistics | Mikel Merino |
| Appearances | 36 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 2 |
Mikel Merino named Arsenal March player of the month after standout displays
Arsenal’s official Instagram account confirmed that Merino has been awarded the club’s player of the month for March, with fans voting for the Spaniard after a string of standout performances.
The Spaniard responded to the announcement with a heart emoji in the comments, while teammates Rice, David Raya and Saliba all liked the post in support.
Merino has impressed in recent performances, which have led some to label him a “hidden gem” after stepping up in attack during a period of injuries and inconsistency in the final third.
He joined Arsenal in the summer and initially struggled to break into the starting eleven, with Arteta favouring a midfield trio of Rice, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard. However, a lack of fit attacking options forced a reshuffle and Merino has taken his opportunity, proving to be a valuable option up front.
Arsenal eye Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres despite Mikel Merino’s impact
Despite Merino’s strong form leading the line, the Gunners are still expected to target attacking reinforcements in the upcoming summer window.
Football Insider revealed that Arsenal are currently ahead of Tottenham in the race to sign RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, a striker who has been widely tipped for a move this summer.
At the same time, Arsenal fans have called on the club to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, with new sporting director Andrea Berta said to be a big admirer of the Swede.
For now, though, Arteta will be hoping Merino can continue his impressive run as Arsenal prepare for two crucial matches: a Premier League clash with Brentford on 12 April, followed by the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid on 16 April.