Arsenal made their strikerless debut in a much-needed 2-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, a game they didn’t entirely have their own way.
Mikel Arteta will have no doubt been disappointed with Arsenal’s first half efforts at Leicester, a performance that was rather toothless.
However, once Mikel Merino was introduced to the game, Arsenal suddenly had a focal point, and it quickly became clear that they had brought on a finisher too.
Merino arguably finished his chances better than any Arsenal player has all season, a timely contribution to say the least.
And at the expense of Raheem Sterling, it would now be a big surprise if Merino didn’t start at home to West Ham United next weekend, and perhaps even for the remainder of the season.
