Arsenal

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Mikel Arteta has a big decision to make about who to play as striker after Mikel Merino's heroics in the 2-0 win over Leicester last week.

The Gunners are without Kai Havertz for the rest of the season after his hamstring injury and Arteta named a front three of Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri last time out.

Those three players are the only fit attackers Arteta can call on and the Arsenal manager then turned to Merino as a makeshift centre forward.

Merino, who was signed due to his stature and his ability to win duels, gave Arsenal a more obvious focal point and the players looked instantly more confident to whip crosses into the box, leading to both of the Arsenal goals.

After the match, Merino and Arteta revealed that they had not trained with the 28-year-old as a striker but it would make sense that they had practiced the possibility after the success last time out.

The next big question is whether Arteta will start the match with Merino or look to continue with the traditional attackers against West Ham.

Nwaneri was Arsenal's standout player in the victory over Leicester and hit the frame of the goal twice before Merino's double.

It may be that Arteta thinks having the impact of Merino off the bench is better if Arsenal are desperate for a goal in the latter part of a match but either way, he will be delighted to have found a central figure to get them through the next few weeks.

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Arsenal have won 37 Premier League games against West Ham - only beating Everton (38) more often in the competition. It is the most defeats the Hammers have suffered against a side.

West Ham won 2-0 at Emirates Stadium last season - they last won at Arsenal in consecutive campaigns in 2005-06 and 2006-07, when they became the last team to beat the Gunners at Highbury and then the first to do so at the Emirates.

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Arsenal have confirmed defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has had "successful" operation on his knee, with his recovery "expected to be completed towards the end of this year".

Tomiyasu first sustained the injury in pre-season but after initial surgery returned to feature in the Premier League against Southampton in October - his only first-team minutes this campaign.

However, the Japan international continued to have issues and had a further operation and has been absent since.

The 26-year-old - who signed a new two-year contract, external in March 2024 to keep him at the club until 2026 - posted on his Instagram, external on Tuesday with a message to Gunners fans.

"I've had a surgery on my knee few days ago and I've already started my rehab to do what I love the most again," it read.

"It has been the toughest period in my career for sure and it carries on a bit more but I won't give up. Thank you for your support and see you again."

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Arsenal have published improved financial results for the year ending 31 May 2024.

The Gunners lost £17.1m for the year compared to a loss of £52.1m in 2023.

The club said the improvement was thanks to Champions League revenue and a "strong performance in the Premier League".

The change in year-on-year revenues was stark, with 2024 seeing the club produce £616.6m in income, up from £466.7m.

Champions League participation had a clear impact on the results, as broadcasting revenues rose to £262.3m from £191.2m in 2023.

Wages increased to £327.8m from £234.8m, with the club stating the jump was "mainly driven by investment in player wages in both men's and women's teams".

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Arsenal found an alternative way of fixing their striking crisis, in the short term anyway. Mikel Merino came on up front as a sub with 21 minutes to go against Leicester and promptly notched a brace, making the hardest thing in the game to do, actually scoring goals, look stunningly easy.

Three of his five Premier League goals so far have been headers and he scored a few when at Real Sociedad too, so there is a little of the "big man up front" somewhere in his DNA.

‌The fact he hadn't played as a striker since he was eight years old, that he hadn't practiced the position during the week and that he looked as surprised as anyone by his success all made me feel very happy. For all the reams of statistics about who can score goals and the data analysis on attacking strategies, Mikel Arteta was forced into going for the 'Hail Mary' option. It was a desperate prayer based on nothing more than a hunch.

‌Considering the countless hours structuring their set pieces in front of computer screens to provide just a few more opportunities, this dice roll made the team seem so much more human.

I have always thought managers are too reticent trying players in different positions. Merino moving up front was a short-term masterstroke and not that complicated seeing as he has height and has a decent record in scoring, particularly headers.

‌Other players are generally pretty adaptable, unless you are that out-and-out centre forward. Those players rarely have any interest in playing anywhere else.

‌Remember that players don't arrive at the top level without having played a few positions throughout their lives. I had never really played on the wing/wide attacking area until I turned professional, I had been a striker or No.10 all my life previously.

Every team has a few that could be adapted, but I reckon Arsenal could put Declan Rice almost anywhere and he would be fine…including centre forward.

‌It comes down to managers considering players in a wider sense. It is one area where the game is less adaptable now than years ago.

‌With so many subs available you usually have a specialist sub ready to replace anyone, this was not the case in the days of one or two subs on the bench.

‌Back then you had to be adaptable as a coach and as a player.

Elsewhere, seven weeks ago, I wrote here that Ethan Nwaneri probably didn't need to be slowly introduced to first-team football, as Arteta was suggesting. Even though he is 17, to me he looked ready for the step up. Nearly two months later I suspect most people now agree with me.

‌I wonder if Bukayo Saka is getting just a tiny little bit concerned about his position?

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Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in 22-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, as an alternative to Newcastle United's £100m-plus rated forward Alexander Isak. (CaughtOffside), external

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BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club panel have been discussing the prospect of playing Ethan Nwaneri through the middle in Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said: "He can play any of those roles across the front and as an eight, which I'm told is his best position.

"He has been so effective from the wide areas - why would you want to experiment when he is already performing in a particular position?"

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

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As the clock ticked towards the 80th minute at King Power Stadium, there was an overwhelming sense that Arsenal were about to drop another two points in their pursuit of Liverpool in the title race.

Thankfully, Ethan Nwaneri had other ideas, as his sumptuous cross was headed in by makeshift centre-forward Mikel Merino.

Nwaneri had been the only bright spark thus far in the game, hitting the post and providing the creativity the Gunners needed to unlock a resolute Leicester side.

For his efforts, Nwaneri received the man of the match award and, despite Merino's double, nobody could have denied he deserved it.

When Nwaneri made his debut in 2022, it was met with criticism from some areas of the media, believing it to be a publicity stunt by Mikel Arteta rather than a genuine substitution to reward this young talent with his first senior appearance.

Fast-forward three years and when asked in his post-match interview about Nwaneri, Arteta's response was: "When a player is giving you all those signs, you shouldn't stop it. So, let him go because he's a massive threat, massive talent and he deserves to play."

What we are seeing with Nwaneri represents a shift in how clubs are bringing youth through to the first team. One obvious reason for this is that, with increasingly demanding schedules, clubs are having to borrow from their youth teams to cover injuries to senior players.

The other is that, at 17, Nwaneri and his peers are just physically ready for the Premier League. With every advance made in sports science over the years, age really is just a number.

The speed at which Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have made their mark on the Premier League might still be the exception today, but their career path could soon become the norm.

The kids are absolutely all right.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

On the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the panel discuss Mikel Merino being used as a makeshift striker in Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side.

Former Premier League defender Steven Warnock was impressed with his performance against Leicester, but it is "hard to judge" his ability because of the Foxes' poor defensive record.

"His movement looked quite decent when he came on and he made clever runs in the box, but I'm thinking: 'Did the Leicester players see the runs?'

"He is a physical presence and decent in the air, but it's a completely different job when you've got your back to goal. It's not an easy job at all."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Borussia Dortmund want £85m for Jamie Gittens, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham among the England Under-21 winger's suitors. (Bild - subscription required - in German), external

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BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Mick asked: Although Arsenal are still in with a decent chance of catching Liverpool, there is a real danger of this season being yet another case of 'always the bridesmaid, never the bride', if they were to finish second for the third year in a row. In fact, some Arsenal fans are inclined to give the manager only one more season to win the Premier League, before getting rid of him.

So will it be 'Four weddings and a funeral' for Mikel Arteta?

Phil answered: As you say Mick, Arsenal are still in with a chance of catching Liverpool but Arne Slot's team are in a strong position.

The Gunners are also straight into the last 16 of the Champions League, so I wouldn't be questioning Mikel Arteta's future, but there is no doubt he needs to start winning a trophy soon, having last won the FA Cup in 2020.

Arsenal have made progress under him, but a club of their stature needs silverware and it needs to arrive sooner rather than later. The club has great faith in the manager but mistakes have been made in not signing a striker, which may still cost them dear this season.

In the end, though, it is about trophies and Arteta needs one. If that's not this season, then it certainly has to be next.

It is a hectic few weeks for Liverpool, with the Reds having league games pretty much every three days until the end of the month.

But things ease considerably in March, when the Reds play just one league game - a home fixture against bottom club Southampton.

That's not to say it is a quiet month, however, with Liverpool having the small matter of the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on 16 March.

On either 4 or 5 March, Liverpool will also have the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, when they will travel to one of Paris St-Germain, Benfica, Monaco or Brest. The return leg at Anfield will take place a week later.

Liverpool finish the season with a home game against Crystal Palace - by which point they would hope to have already had the title wrapped up.

They have two tough away games coming up - travelling to Aston Villa and then Manchester City.

They also play rivals Arsenal towards the end of the season but have the advantage of hosting that encounter.

The Gunners, meanwhile, face six sides in the top half of the table in their final 13 games.

As the historical table below shows, only once in Premier League history has a side held a lead of this size after 25 games and not gone on to win the title.

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Former Premier League striker Glen Murray says Arsenal winger Ethan Nwaneri is "everything that Raheem Sterling isn't" currently.

Sterling was substituted early in the second half of Saturday's 2-0 win at Leicester, while 17-year-old Nwaneri impressed on the left wing and created Mikel Merino's opener with a fine cross.

"He does look like the next one off the rank at Arsenal to be a real big star," Murray told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Everything that Raheem Sterling isn't at the minute, Nwaneri is. He has youthful exuberance, confidence, a constant threat."

Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history when he made his debut as a 15-year-old two season ago, but is enjoying a breakout campaign and has stepped up in the absence of senior players, such as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.

"He does not look fazed by anything," added former Tottenham and Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown.

"He has that maturity already of understanding what he can bring and do.

"That's the joy for me. How can he be so level-headed and calm when he's doing what he's doing at his age?"

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Leicester City and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Leicester fans:

Louise: Depression has set in at Leicester City. We all know negativity spreads and infects everything around. Our fans are at a loss. They don't know what to think or do. We all love our club and will always carry on supporting Leicester City through the good and bad times. But right now, we all need to come together. We have to believe and push our club out of this funk. Is Ruud van Nistelrooy the right man for the job? Yes, and I do believe he can keep Leicester City up, but my confidence is draining as weeks pass by.

Brad: Gutted. The lads dug in deep and even had chances to have got a result. Sadly it's been the story of our season two 50/50 breakaways fell to Arsenal and the rest is history.

Chris: Really proud of the whole team. Played resolutely and as a team for the whole game. Unlucky not to get something from the game, but this should give us some much-needed confidence for the next few games.

Mike: Great performance for 80 minutes. As RVN says, "the results will come". Need to get behind the team. We can stay up if we play like this.

Arsenal fans:

Michael: Poor performance but they got the job done. No-one came away with any real credit aside from maybe two players. The annoying thing is how many, without any original thought, blamed Raheem Sterling for all their ills while he was on the pitch. Give the man a break.

Leigh: We're not alone in having injuries. We've just got to get on with it and, as we did against Leicester, find a way to win. I trust the youth and scouting set-up to unearth talent at home or overseas and we must strengthen over the summer. A good run in the Champions League will make an offer from Arsenal an attractive one. Ridiculous to suggest that Mikel Arteta be given the push. We're going in the right direction!

Martin: I had an inkling that Mikel Merino would work as a false nine, but I didn't imagine he'd work out this well. Both his finishes wouldn't look out of place from Erling Haaland or Chris Wood. Ethan Nwaneri is playing well beyond his years. Sadly, it looks like Sterling is finished at the top level - all the pace that made him great is gone. Merino needs to start at least until we get Bukayo Saka back.

David: Fantastic that we won but - and it's a big but - we struggled to score against a team that has won four games all season. They have a goal difference of -30. Yet we had to wait for two goals from a midfielder who has never played up front before coming off the bench. Great work, Merino, but what will we do when we meet a more in-form side?

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Kai Havertz celebrated Arsenal's win over Leicester on a video call with his team-mates after "successful" surgery on his season-ending hamstring injury.

On Sunday, Havertz posted on Instagram:, external "The past few days have been tough to process both physically and mentally. But yesterday was a good day. A successful op and a win.

"Thanks for all the messages of support over the past few days - it's really helped.

"I'm now focused on my journey to full fitness and giving all the support I can give to the team in the background."

The hard-fought win at King Power Stadium was key for the Gunners, who were also without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, and had to rely on a late double from makeshift striker Mikel Merino.

Defender Jurrien Timber revealed Havertz took part in the post-match celebrations.

"It was very important," he said. "Everyone knows we are a bit tight up front.

"Losing Kai is massive for us, a big blow for him. He's been fighting all season for us. We can't wait to have him back.

"We've had him on FaceTime in the dressing room after the match. We've spoken to him."

Newcastle would be willing to let Alexander Isak leave for £83.3m (100m euros) this summer if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona among those keen on the 25-year-old Sweden striker. (Sport - in Spanish), external

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Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Brighton and Chelsea.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Man City 4-0 Newcastle

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Ethan Nwaneri continued to show his huge potential with another excellent display in Arsenal's win over Leicester.

The 17-year-old is having his breakthrough season for Arsenal and has deputised for the injured Bukayo Saka on the right side of Arsenal's attack.

He has scored seven goals so far this season in 24 appearances in all competitions.

Nwaneri started the match with Leicester, the first match Arsenal played following the season ending injury to Kai Havertz and was Arsenal's most creative outlet.

He clipped the bar and hit the post with shots in the second half before crossing excellently for Mikel Merino to open the scoring.

That lead to former England forward Joe Cole working as a pundit on TNT Sport comparing Nwaneri to Lionel Messi after his game changing performance.

"These little touches in and around the box - I don't even want to say it, but it's like Lionel Messi." Cole said.

"I don't want to put any more pressure on him, but the touches off the back foot entices the defender, then the touch off the toe to send him off balance. He plays with such confidence, a beautiful player."

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta looks to have found the solution to his striker problems with makeshift centre forward Mikel Merino after his two match-winning goals against Leicester.

Coming into this match all the talk was about how Arsenal would play without a recognised striker after Kai Havertz's hamstring injury.

Arteta named a front three of Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri, a much different set up without the focal point of Havertz.

Arsenal struggled to create much in the first half but looked lively whenever Nwaneri got the ball and he came close twice when he clipped the bar and smashed a shot against the post in the second period.

It was another tough game for Raheem Sterling who was replaced after 69 minutes. He didn't beat his opposing full back and Nwaneri's ability to take on his man highlighted Sterling's inability to do so.

Nwaneri has had an excellent breakthrough season and not only has he taken on the mantle of being Saka's replacement on the right hand side but he has now become a key creative player, arguably the Gunners best, during Arsenal's striker crisis.

The 17-year-old also created the key moment in the match with an excellent cross for Merino's opener.

Mikel Merino, a player brought in for his excellence in winning duels, showcased his ability in the air for his first goal and his stature gives Arsenal's players something to aim for in the penalty area, which is something they lacked in the early part of the game.

It may be too simple to say that he is the answer for Arsenal but it looks a very good fit at the moment.