Jermaine Pennant has urged Mikel Arteta to deploy Ethan Nwaneri in a central role to try and reignite Arsenal ’s attacking thrust. Dropped points against West Ham and Nottingham Forest have seen the wheels come off the Gunners’ Premier League title charge, with Arsenal now trailing runaway leaders Liverpool by 13 points.

Mikel Merino will play as the centre-forward. Mikel Merino is a versatile, strong makeshift centre forward with excellent hold-up play, aerial ability, vision, and intelligent link-up skills.

Mikel Arteta needs to make room for Raheem Sterling to start when Arsenal face PSV Eindhoven in their Champions League first leg.

Merino shone in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory at the King Power Stadium, scoring both goals after coming off the bench with just over 20 minutes to go. The dilemma for Mikel Arteta now is whether he starts Merino up front for this weekend’s clash with West Ham, or continues to use him as an impact player from the bench.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta refused to rule out using Mikel Merino once again as a centre-forward following the Spaniard’s heroics last weekend against Leicester City. Injuries to several key

Arteta has also claimed that Nathan Butler-Oyedeji can play as a number nine. He has been on the Arsenal bench in their last two games.

Mikel Arteta has insisted that Arsenal still have "gears to take the game to a different level" despite their injury crisis.

Mikel Arteta is said to have decided upon his third summer addition at the Emirates. It is no secret the Spaniard wants to bring in new players to help add a further competitive level of depth to his squad ahead of next season.

Mikel Arteta’s transfer strategy has been a major talking point as Arsenal approaches the summer 2025 window. While some may see his approach as risky, there are strong reasons to believe it’s a gamble worth taking.