"The sight of Mikel Merino wheeling away in celebration after scoring while playing as a striker is something Arsenal fans have got used to over the past nine months. And the midfielder-turned-frontman was at it again on Tuesday, scoring twice in their 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague. The 29-year-old was filling in for Viktor Gyokeres, whose muscle injury is "concerning" manager Mikel Arteta as the Swede prepares for further tests."
"Merino first stepped up as a makeshift frontman for the Gunners in February when he scored twice in the Premier League win at Leicester following a hamstring injury to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus' cruciate ligament injury (ACL) a month earlier. That was the first time that Merino had taken on that role since he was a child. He then scored crucial goals in wins against Chelsea, Fulham and Real Madrid and ended the last campaign with nine in all competitions."
Mikel Merino scored twice in Arsenal's 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague while filling in for Viktor Gyokeres, whose hamstring problem has prompted further tests. Manager Mikel Arteta praised Merino's mindset, leadership and personality after the performance. Merino previously played as a makeshift striker in February, scoring twice at Leicester and later netting important goals against Chelsea, Fulham and Real Madrid, finishing the last season with nine goals. Merino has three goals this term, including at Newcastle on 28 September. Arsenal extended a winning run to 10 matches, and Gyokeres has six goals in 14 appearances following a £64m summer move.
Read at www.bbc.com
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