Mikel Merino has scored five goals in eight games since Arsenal Baas Mikel Arteta decided to use him as an improvised striker after injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz
Mikel Merino rejected all comparisons with his hero Thierry Henry prior to Arsenal's Champions League showdown with Real Madrid on Tuesday. Merino watched in his Arsenal shirt when Henry scored the only goal against Real in the Bernabeu, while the Gunners won the Champions League of 2006 the last 16 draw 1-0 in the only other meeting between the sides.
Henry was the star of that Arsenal side and the French striker took 33 goals for the men of Arsene Wenger before they lost heartbreaking to Barcelona in the final. Midvelder Merino is impressed by the patched attack by Arsenal and has good memories of that draw of 2006, looking back as a big eyes nine -year -old in his native Pamplona.
The winner of the Spanish international and Euro 2024 has five goals in his last nine games, but shot every conversation that he plays as Henry. “I don't see myself as Henry, that's for sure,” said Merino, who cost £ 27.4 million from Real Sociedad in August.
“Let's get that out of the comparison, because I think there are not many people, they can play like Henry. It is a new knockout match against Real Madrid after such a long time and then it was a historic moment for the club and for the Champions League in general.
“I really have good memories of that match. So everyone is really looking forward to trying to get a better opponent in the best possible stage for the Watch World.
“I am really happy that I have the chance to be here now, because I have worn that Arsenal shirt as a child. Here I am now playing in the same knockout phase all those years later.”
Merino, 28, is on track for his best season and has scored seven goals for Arsenal and admits that he did not think he would do so well. He says that his teammates have helped, just like colleague Basque Mikel Arteta, and he says that his Gunners boss always leads him.
“I think I have been a bit surprised that I can very often perform the team in the goals core department and contribute to the team,” said the former Newcastle midfielder. “I had no idea that it would reach this level. As a striker I feel really comfortable in the box.
“I think playing with my teammates helps me a lot. I have settled very well in the pointed role, listening to the coach and the staff. The coach has put his confidence on me to play in this position and, so far, so good.”
Opposite Everton with Merino as an improvised striker because Arsenal misses a wounded top scorer Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, is one thing, really hiring is a lot.
The Spanish giants suffered a shock 2-1 home loss for Valencia on Saturday evening to show that they are mortal, but the Champions League is their competition and the record 15 times winners know exactly how to win it.
Arteta started several important players on the couch on the 104th and last visit of the Gunners and the last visit to Goodison and they should have won after Leandro Trossard shot home after a great work by Raheem Sterling.
But they were coupled by the softest penalty ever when Myles Lewis-Skelly was rated hard to have contaminated Jack Harrison and Iiliman Ndiaye scored his ninth goal of the season.
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