Cesc Fabregas has hailed a tactical decision from Mikel Arteta which has helped Arsenal and transformed their £32million player.
Arsenal can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table when they travel to Sunderland on Saturday evening.
The Gunners have been in imperious form this season, winning 14 of 16 games across all competitions, though there is a concern regarding the amount of injuries they’re sustaining.
It is their attacking players who are suffering the most, with Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus among those sidelined, leaving Arsenal with no fit, natural centre-forwards.
As he did last season, Arteta has deployed Mikel Merino as a makeshift No.9 to great effect, with the midfielder bagging a brace in the Champions League win against Slavia Prague during the week.
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While a utility player in his youth, the 29-year-old, by his own admission, had never played as a striker until February but since then has recorded nine goals and three assists in 17 appearances in that position.
Arsenal hero Fabregas has hailed the tactical switch, telling Italian outlet RSI Sport: ‘This is a great move by Mikel, putting Merino up front, who has done really well up front.
‘They’re a team that defends very well. This year they’ve made a leap in quality physically and have conceded three goals all season and zero in the Champions League. It says a lot about the solidity of this team.
‘And then up front they have goals, they’re hungry, they have quality, they have talent. There are similar things, but perhaps Arsenal is more focused on being solid and going on the counterattack or scoring from set pieces.
‘They’re an exceptional team right now. Let’s hope it can be a good year for them.’
The tactical switch has also made Merino surprisingly prolific on the international stage, scoring eight goals in his last eight appearances for Spain.
Fabregas, currently manager of Italian club Como, also highlighted the impact of three of Arsenal’s summer signings who have given Arteta the depth he needs to challenge for the biggest trophies.
‘I see a very well-prepared team to face many competitions this year,’ the former Gunners captain added. ‘I see a very structured team, with experience and a lot of quality.
‘They’ve strengthened really well. Martin Odegaard is out now, but we have Eberechi Eze. Cristhian Mosquera in defence, Piero Hincapie, and Riccardo Calafiori, who is returning in good form.
‘Little by little, I’m seeing a team that can make a splash.’
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