by Mikel Merino promised to continue to do everything Arsenal needs after overcoming his initial shock to be organized as a fortune attacker to mark a double winner in Leicester.
The club’s failure to bring an attacker during the January transfer window was quickly aggravated by losing the top scorer Kai Havertz to an injury to the end of the season.
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are also absent, which means that the boss of Arsenal Mikel Arteta has deployed a fortune front three which required a rejig while the title hunts of the Premier League sought to find a way to exceed Leicester.
Arteta made the daring decision to bring Merino in place of Raheem Sterling in the 69th minute and the Spanish midfielder responded with an impressive splint that sealed a triumph of the end of 2-0.
“It was crazy for me to come to the field in this position,” the summer signature told Club Media.
“It was a really, really difficult match against a good team and the pressure was on us.
“But this game sometimes concerns small details, on which is more precise in the last meters.
“We were clinical in the last 20 minutes with me trying to have an impact in the box and with my teammates who just put incredible bullets.
“We have won the match and I am really, really, really happy.”
Merino only needed 21 minutes to double his count for the season, after having marked twice during his 26 previous appearances for Arsenal since he joined Real Sociedad.
It was an unforgettable first experience to play at the top and an opportunity that he did not expect.
“To be honest, it was just this morning when they told me it was a possibility,” said Merino.
“I read something in the media, but I wouldn’t believe it, but this morning they told me. I said I’m ready to do whatever the team needs me to do. I think I showed it.
While Arsenal maintained the pressure on the leaders of the Premier League Liverpool, a ninth defeat in 10 championship games left the men of Ruud Van Nistelrooy with a feeling of too familiar sinking.
“It is clear that we do absolutely what we can,” said the Dutchman.
“I cannot ask for more players in terms of commitment and mind and the physical performance they put, the way they play together and prevent this Arsenal team from playing and scoring for a long time, from us Create and create ourselves playing as we want to play, go directly when we couldn’t.
“We have done everything possible today and you can no longer ask.
“You must be proud of this team and support this team, and with the conviction that we continue like that and the results will come.”
