Paul Dickov has urged Mikel Arteta to start ‘underrated’ Arsenal star Mikel Merino against Chelsea instead of £64m signing Viktor Gyokeres.
Merino mainly plays in midfield but can be used as a striker and has started Arsenal’s last four games, registering two goals and two assists.
But Arteta faces somewhat of a selection headache for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Chelsea with Gyokeres expected to be available.
Arsenal paid an initial £55m to sign Gyokeres from Sporting CP in the summer transfer window, with £8.7m in add-ons for the Swedish striker.
Gyokeres has missed Arsenal’s last four games with a muscle injury but could potentially make his return against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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It is also understood Arsenal forward Kai Havertz may make an injury comeback against the Blues but Dickov wants to see Merino in the XI.
‘Merino has been excellent,’ Dickov told Metro via Casino Groups. ‘I think he’s one of the most underrated signings Arsenal have made in a long time.
‘The flexibility he’s got, playing in midfield and playing up top. I like him up top because he gives Arsenal physicality there.
‘He occupies the centre-backs. That allows players like Eze and Saka a lot of space because the defenders are concentrating on Merino.
‘Even if Gyokeres is fit, I’d be sticking with Merino for this game. Especially with it being away from home.
‘Maybe give Gyokeres another week or so rather than rushing him back too quickly.’
‘Madueke should start Chelsea vs Arsenal game’
Another Arsenal player Dickov wants to see in the starting line-up against Chelsea is winger Noni Madueke.
The 23-year-old made his return from a knee injury in the 4-1 win over Tottenham on Sunday, coming off the bench for the last 12 minutes.
Madueke, who joined Arsenal from Chelsea in July, was again named as a substitute in the win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday but was introduced in the 38th minute after Leandro Trossard’s first-half injury and later scored.
Quizzed if Madueke should start against his former club this weekend, Dickov added: ‘Yeah, I think so.
‘That goal [against Bayern Munich] will give him a lot of confidence. He started the season very, very well at Arsenal after a lot of people questioned the signing and then unfortunately he got injured.
‘He came on last night and got his goal – not a bad time to get it going back to his old stomping ground. There’s always a story there when players go back to their old clubs. I’ve been there many times myself.’