Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta labelled stand-in striker Mikel Merino as ‘phenomenal’ after his newest header put the Gunners on observe for a 2-0 win at home to Brentford.
With most of Arteta’s forwards out of motion in current weeks the Spanish midfielder has been requested to guide the road.
And he has accomplished it brilliantly, along with his effective header from Ben White’s cross his ninth Premier League purpose of the calendar yr.
No different Arsenal participant can match that tally, whereas for the reason that begin of final season, no Premier League participant has scored extra headed objectives in all competitions than Merino’s eight.
Arteta advised Sky Sports activities: “It’s unbelievable what he has accomplished once more at the moment, not solely the purpose as a result of the purpose is magnificent.
“However the motion, the standard, the end, how he occasions it…after which his work-rate. It’s phenomenal.
“One-nil is rarely sufficient in opposition to Brentford however I assumed we dominated the sport and created the largest probabilities.
“Total I’m very blissful.”
Arteta is with out first-choice defenders William Saliba and Gabriel and noticed Cristhian Mosquera have to get replaced early on, whereas Declan Rice limped off late within the sport.
Arteta mentioned: “We’ll know extra tomorrow. They must be examined. Declan needed to come off – let’s see who is obtainable.”
The Gunners subsequent play Aston Villa within the early sport on Saturday the place a win would see them go eight poinst clear.
