Merino option at striker even when everyone fit

Mikel Merino has been in excellent form for Arsenal this season, filling in as a make-shift striker amid injuries to Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus.

The 29-year-old has scored two goals and registered three assists in his past four Premier League games while playing as a striker.

Merino has scored important goals in his two seasons at the club - including against Real Madrid, Chelsea, Slavia Prague and Brentford - and provided assists in games against Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland.

And Arteta has suggested that Merino's performances could see him considered as striker even when he has a fully fit squad to choose from.

"He has earned at least the thinking behind it for the way he is performing and the impact he is bringing to the team. That's a yes," Arteta said.

The transition from midfielder to forward is something that has happened before at Arsenal, with Havertz joining the club as a midfielder but becoming the first-choice forward for the Gunners.

Havertz is still recovering from a knee injury and has not featured since the opening game against Manchester United, but Arteta said Merino and Havertz could play together.

"Yes, and them playing together, those two, even with Viktor [Gyokeres], or it can be with Gabi [Jesus].

"They were things we prepared in the summer because of the squad we had, but so far we haven't been able to do it."