When Arsenal signed Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad for £31 million in the summer of 2024, following Spain's triumph at Euro 2024, they were recruiting a midfielder — not a centre-forward. Yet the Basque international has since found himself leading the line for the Gunners on multiple occasions, and he admits the idea first reached him through a social media post.

From midfield anchor to makeshift striker

Merino told FourFourTwo that the role emerged out of necessity during the 2024–25 season. A warm-weather training camp in Dubai in February coincided with a run of injuries, leaving Arsenal short of options. When Merino stumbled upon speculation online that he would start as a striker against Leicester, his reaction was disbelief.