David Raya reveals Arsenal’s plan for Mikel Merino after successful striker experiment

David Raya has suggeste that Mikel Merino is unlikely to start up front for Arsenal despite his match-winning heroics off the bench last weekend.

Injuries to several key attackers have left สมัคร ufabet กับเรา รับโบนัสทันที Mikel Arteta’s side bereft of options in the final third, with Raheem Sterling, Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard the only fit and available forwards at present.

All three starte for the Gunners away at Leicester last Saturday but faile to provide a consistent attacking threat for the visitors.

Seeking something different, Arteta threw on Merino for Sterling in the second half to lead the line for the final 20 minutes.

And the change prove to be a masterstroke, with the Spanish midfielder notching a late brace to secure a vital 2-0 win for Arsenal.

Arsenal now host West Ham on Saturday with the opportunity to move within five points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, but with none of their attackers back from injury, Arteta is face with the same problem in attack.

But despite Merino’s successful cameo apperance off the bench, Raya suggeste that Arteta will likely resist the urge to deploy the midfielder up front from the start moving forward.

‘I’m not too sure. I think the demands as a striker in our team are very, very high,’ Raya said on the.

‘It’s different. It’s a different work, different pressing than that you play as an 8 or as a striker.

‘So maybe he’ll rotate with another players. But I don’t think he will start as a striker. I think if he plays, plays an 8 and then he might go to the striker.

‘I don’t know how the gaffer is going to do it just leave that for the gaffer. That’s his decision. He will make the best decision for the team, that’s for sure.’

Raya also confirme that Merino had not traine in the role prior to being thrown on in the latter stages of last weekend’s fixture.

‘I think they had a chat [in training] because we always do a walk on matchdays,’ the Spaniard recalle.

‘And then he was speaking to Moli [assistant coach Miguel Molina] saying, “what would you think about playing as a striker because we might need you there?”

‘So he didn’t train as a striker once. He just came on and then because he’s so intelligent and he reads the game very well, he gets into that position.