Mikel Merino has made himself undroppable as Viktor Gyokeres told he must sit on Arsenal bench

Mikel Merino is one of the most intelligent players to have played for Arsenal and he should keep starting over Viktor Gyokeres.

That’s according to ex-Gunners midfielder Adrian Clarke, who has labelled Merino ‘undroppable’.

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The Spain international, who arrived in the Premier League in the summer of 2024, has become a key star under manager Mikel Arteta.

Originally signed as a midfielder, he has transitioned into a makeshift striker due to multiple injuries in attacking areas.

In total, Merino has played 22 games up front for Arsenal since signing, including 10 already this season in all competitions.

But he’s found it no issue to lead the line, brilliantly linking up attacks and scoring goals himself, with his aerial ability a huge threat.

Brentford felt the full force of that on Wednesday, as the 29-year-old headed home before setting up Bukayo Saka in a 2-0 win.

That followed another goal against Chelsea, an assist against Tottenham and Sunderland, and a double in the Champions League.

Merino is hitting some incredible form and it has led to Clarke piling praise onto him for his impact on Arteta’s side.

“Mikel Merino at the moment, for me, is undroppable,” Clarke told talkSPORT. “This guy is playing phenomenally well.

“He’s one of the smartest footballers I’ve seen play for Arsenal in recent seasons. So intelligent, no matter where you put him, he just adjusts, he adapts to the role.

“His movement is brilliant, we saw that for the goal. No one has scored more headed goals across 2025 than Mikel Merino.”

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Clarke went on to explain the brilliance of bringing the Spaniard in. “Mikel Merino is a player that most clubs in the Premier League would not have signed.

“Chelsea for one, because he was 28 when he came in and a lot of clubs, they turn their nose up if you’re not 25 or under.

“But this guy could prove to be one of the most invaluable signings that Arsenal have made because he has got nous, and he’s got quality, and he delivers in the big moments.

“At the moment, you can’t leave him out of the side. I think [Viktor] Gyokeres has got to wait.”

Merino over Gyokeres

Gyokeres has made two appearances off the bench since returning from an injury that kept him out since November 1.

Merino replaced him at half time against Burnley – the game in which the Sweden striker picked up his knock.

And in the time he has been out, along with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, it’s the Spaniard who has starred up front.

Arteta will now have a tough decision to make on who to start at striker, with his £63.7million signing back fit.

Gyokeres has had a tough start to life in the Premier League, only scoring four times in his first 12 top-flight games.

He went five league outings without a goal until he found the net at Turf Moor, but he did net twice in Europe in that time.

In 16 games for the Gunners, Gyokeres has contributed six goals, while Merino has eight contributions in 20 matches this season.

Rotation is to be expected in the busy festive period, but the striker spot may well be Merino’s to lose as things stand.

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‘What would we have done this season?’

Clarke also discussed Merino’s pivotal role at Arsenal so far on Inside Gooners, naming his best position as a false-nine.

“Mikel Merino is one of the most intelligent footballers to have worn the Arsenal badge in a long time,” Clarke stated. “He’s super smart and he can adapt to different situations.

“He doesn’t get any headlines, but he does such a good job for the team, the way he pulls off defenders and links play… but he’s also a terrific finisher as well.

“Merino is turning into one of those under-the-radar signings that you think, ‘Thank goodness for that!’ If we hadn’t signed him, what would we have done this season, and the back-end of last season?

“There are a lot of subtleties to Merino’s game that maybe we are all guilty of not appreciating from the outset.

“If someone was to say, ‘What is Merino’s best position?’ I’m calling it now, Mikel Merino is a false nine. I think he’s better there than in midfield.”