Mikel Arteta told to start ‘killer’ up front and it’s not Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Jesus or Kai Havertz

The answer to Arsenal’s striker issues? Mikel Merino. Yes, again!

That’s the call from Inside Gooners’ own James Bayliss as the club look to bounce back from their 3-2 defeat against rivals Manchester United.

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When asked by host Harry Symeou about the Gunners’ striking issues, Bayliss admitted he had got it wrong and wanted to see ‘Merino back up there’. 

He continued his praise of the Spaniard, who has been a productive goalscorer for both club and country in the past year, calling him a ‘killer’ in front of goal.

Mikel Arteta’s attacking players have taken some stick since their defeat at the Emirates. 

With some arguing the team are relying solely on their immense defensive record to keep them competitive at the top of the Premier League. 

Own Goals are currently the club’s joint-second top goal contributor with four, only one behind their current league top scorers Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard on five apiece.

Bayliss admitted: “You can rely on Merino in front of goal.

“He’s played the big nights, Bayern, Tottenham, Real Madrid and led the line brilliantly. 

“I apologise to all. Our best performances have come with him up top.”

This is a damning statement on the condition of Arsenal’s striker pool, including £65million signing Gyokeres, who has failed to deliver since arriving from Sporting Lisbon last summer.

The Swedish international was signed to allow Merino to revert back to midfield having become an emergency No. 9 in the club’s injury-hit 2024/25 season – to some success.

A new attacking dimension

Bayliss offered a solution to Arteta’s attacking woes, suggesting an attacking duo of Eberechi Eze and Merino could reap rewards.

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He added: “If you’re not getting the ‘striker things’ you want from Gyokeres and Jesus and if Havertz isn’t fit, then I’d go with the partnership (of Eze and Merino).”

Eze has had to bide his time in an Arsenal shirt, with captain Martin Odegaard a regular in the No.10 role.

But when Odegaard was injured at the start of the season, the summer acquisition from Crystal Palace did show his credentials.

Eze scored the winner against his former side in October, provided the assist for the injury-time equaliser against Manchester City, while his best moment in an Arsenal shirt to date was his hat-trick the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. 

If Odegaard’s form continues to dip, it could be a plan Arteta reverts to as he plots to win his first Premier League title in charge of the Gunners.

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A squad game

Kai Havertz is making a slow comeback from injury that has hampered him since August’s away win at Old Trafford. 

Gabriel Jesus, who himself has returned from injury to play his part, has never been an out-and-out goalscorer. 

A point he made himself to ESPN Brasil in 2023; “I’ll say it again, but now I think it’s clearer: I don’t think scoring goals or fighting for the top scorer’s honour is my strong point, but I can improve.”

Both still have a part to play in the season overall, with Arsenal still alive on all four fronts.

They can complete a perfect Champions League group phase when they face Kairat Almaty at the Emirates stadium tonight.

A win will tee them up for a desirable last 16 matchup against a club who have been forced to go through the play-offs.

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The club are also one game away from a trip to Wembley as they hold a one-goal advantage going into their semi-final second-leg against Chelsea on February 3.

And the Gunners also have a very winnable FA Cup fourth round match to come at home to Wigan in a competition that should give plenty of fringe players valuable minutes.