Then you have one of the most important squad players in Mikel Merino, who is now essentially Arsenal’s fifth-choice central midfielder, the third-choice striker behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres, and an option behind Martin Odegaard in the number 10 role.

Mikel Merino says he can still contribute at Arsenal

Merino has made nine appearances this season, but every one of his Premier League outings has come off the bench. The £25million signing from Real Sociedad has started in the Champions League against Napoli and Lille, and in the EFL Cup against Ipswich, where he scored in the 4-2 win.

Speaking to El Larguero, the Spaniard was asked about his lack of game time and admitted it’s been different from previous seasons, when injuries elsewhere in the squad often pushed him into the team.

“I’ve tried to adapt as best I can to what the manager has needed, and this year will be no different. Whatever he needs, I’m there,” Merino said.

That’s the attitude you’d expect from him. When Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were injured in 2024/25, Merino was asked to play as an emergency striker and scored six goals there. Arteta even went back to that option a few times last season and he added another four.

He hasn’t played up front yet this season, which is a bit surprising given how Gyokeres is performing. The Swede hasn’t scored for Arsenal since May, and on current form there’s a real case that Merino would be the better option to lead the line.