THE MERINO CRISIS: WHO WILL FILL ARSENAL'S MIDFIELD HOLE AFTER DEVASTATING FOOT SURGERY?
Mikel Merino’s injury leaves a hole in Arsenal's midfield. Discover if Kai Havertz or Myles Lewis-Skelly will step up for Arteta.
Mikel Arteta knows he needs his Arsenal squad’s depth to get them through the season, especially if they want to finally bring home that Premier League trophy. He’s already watched his team handle injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel. Honestly, they’ve managed all that pretty well—Arsenal are still fighting on four fronts. But things never run perfectly, do they? Now, with Mikel Merino sidelined and needing surgery for a foot injury, Arteta faces his first real crisis of the season.
The January window slammed shut before Arsenal could bring in a quick fix. So, Arteta has to figure things out with what he’s got.
Let’s start with the obvious: Havertz. When Arteta signed him in 2023, he talked up Kai’s versatility, even hinting he might fill the Granit Xhaka role. That didn’t exactly click at first. Havertz looked awkward compared to Xhaka, and soon enough, Arteta moved him up the pitch. That late goal against Brentford? It showed he can drift in behind defences and pop up with something special. Eventually, Havertz shifted into the centre forward spot, but it wasn’t some overnight transformation. He grew into the role, and his strong finish last season convinced the club not to chase another striker in the summer.
But things change fast. Havertz spent most of 2025 recovering from a knee injury. Now, Gabriel Jesus is healthy again, Viktor Gyökeres is banging in goals, and suddenly Havertz has real competition for minutes up top. With Merino out, maybe it’s time to push Havertz back into midfield—the role Arteta always imagined for him. Sure, neither Havertz nor Merino is a natural playmaker, and both can get a bit clumsy in tight spaces, but Havertz brings a physical edge and always finds a way into the box.
What about the mavericks? When Arsenal falters—which, to be fair, doesn’t happen much—Arteta takes heat for playing it too safe. He likes structure, set pieces, and muscle over pure chaos. Once, Ødegaard ran the show, but his influence seems to be fading. Saka’s brilliant but calculated. Eberechi Eze? Outside his derby hat-trick, he hasn’t really caught fire in north London.
If Ethan Nwaneri hadn’t gone out to Marseille on loan, he might’ve gotten his shot. Now, Arteta might have to trust the unpredictable guys—the ones who can turn a game on its head. Maybe it’s time to let the creative sparks loose, even if it means stepping a little outside his comfort zone.
Eze’s arrival last August felt like the start of something big. The crowd greeted him like a hero, but so far, it just hasn’t clicked. He’s not the missing puzzle piece, not yet. Still, there’s time. Last year, around this time, he hit his stride for Crystal Palace. Who’s to say he can’t do it again for Arsenal?
In the end, Arteta just needs to let it play out. Sometimes, the unexpected answers are the best ones.
Assuming Arteta doesn’t flip the whole system, Arsenal’s midfield probably leans on Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi working together. That third spot? It’s wide open. Ødegaard used to be the obvious pick, but now Eze is battling to earn Arteta’s trust, and Havertz might drop deeper into midfield since Arsenal have plenty of attacking options.
But Arteta has another card he could play.
Myles Lewis-Skelly turned heads at left back, and honestly, it’s easy to forget he’s a natural midfielder. That’s why he looked so comfortable sliding into an inverted role for both club and country—he just gets those central spaces.
Lately, he’s slipped down the pecking order, with Piero Hincapié stealing his minutes. Still, Arteta clearly rates the kid—he gave him his first real shot, after all. With Merino out, Lewis-Skelly could be a solid rotation option in midfield.
He doesn’t give you what Merino does in the air or on the ground, but he’s tough in a duel and great at moving the ball through the lines. Plus, he can ride a challenge and carry the ball forward, which helps Arsenal push up the pitch.
DAVID RAYA CONFIRMS BAYERN MUNICH MOVE NEARLY HAPPENED BEFORE ARSENAL BID INTERVENED
Jamie Carragher labels David Raya one of the world's best as Arsenal sit nine points clear in the 2026 title race.
Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya recently opened up about how close he came to joining Bayern Munich before ultimately signing with the Gunners. The Spain international has blossomed into one of Europe’s top goalkeepers under Mikel Arteta's guidance, but his path almost led him to the Bundesliga giants instead.
Raya’s story
Initially, Arsenal brought Raya on loan for the 2023/24 season, and by July 2024, they made the move permanent for around £27 million. Despite the apparent smoothness of that transfer, Raya revealed that Bayern Munich had been seriously interested in him. As Fabrizio Romano reported, Raya said, “I was very, very close to joining another club, but luckily that didn’t happen, and in the end Arsenal made a bid, and I came here. Which club? It was Bayern Munich.”
Arteta’s praise
Arteta hasn’t held back when praising Raya’s performances. After their recent Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen, he described Raya as “absolutely amazing". Highlighting the keeper’s crucial saves in consecutive matches, Arteta emphasised how vital Raya has been. “In two games, it was a set piece last time and a header before that, and today he has an action. He makes an incredible save. That’s why he’s here. We need to value the keeper that we have because he’s absolutely amazing.”
Heinze’s impact
Raya also spoke about the influence of coach Gabriel Heinze, the ex-Manchester United defender, especially on their defensive mentality. Raya credited Heinze with instilling a fighting spirit and high intensity, which he sees as key to success in the Premier League. “He’s a guy, he’s a coach; where he wants us to fight – a lot of intensity. To win games, you have to defend very well, especially in this league. This is the toughest league in the world. You have to be very, very, very solid to be able to win games. Normally, games are won by one goal. So, it’s really, really important to keep that asset from us, from everyone. Not just the back line, just every single player. So, it’s a lot of credit to him as well.”
Expert opinion
Even Jamie Carragher has praised Raya’s quality this season, calling him “a brilliant goalkeeper” and one of Arsenal’s best signings. He compared Raya favourably to other top Premier League keepers, saying, “David Raya, for me, it’s between him and Alisson in the Premier League for the best goalkeeper. He’s certainly one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and that’s why he keeps so many clean sheets.”
What’s ahead?
As it stands, Arsenal lead the Premier League by nine points over Manchester City, albeit having played one extra match. Before thinking about the title race, though, Arsenal face City in the Carabao Cup final this weekend. Arteta expressed confidence in his team’s ability to bring home the trophy: “I’m really prepared and confident that we’re going to make it happen. When it comes to the crucial moments and when it comes to the moment to attack a trophy, take it and bring it home, that’s when you need to step up and make a difference. That’s why we are all very excited because we know what is at stake, and now it’s about the next step, the next game... It’s one of the defining moments because at the end, it’s whether you win the trophy or not. We need to prove that point. That’s clear. And that has to be done on the pitch.”
HOW MIKEL ARTETA’S TACTICAL PATIENCE SECURED ARSENAL’S HISTORIC NINE POINT LEAGUE LEAD
Mikel Arteta reflects on Arsenal's defining 2-0 win over Everton, moving the Gunners ten points clear at the top.
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Mikel Arteta reflected on Arsenal’s recent 2-0 win over Everton, a result that extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points. The goals came late in the game from Viktor Gyökeres and Max Dowman, and with the tension high at the Emirates, this match might well stand out as a defining moment in the club’s journey this season.
He described the past couple of months as remarkable, highlighting the team’s presence across all competitions and their consistent approach of treating every match as decisive. Of course, performances vary; some days they’re solid, sometimes exceptional, and occasionally not at their best, but what impresses Arteta most is the team's persistent hunger to win.
The challenge against Everton was significant. Arteta pointed out their quality and coaching, noting how dangerous they were whenever they approached the box and just how tough they made it to break them down. As the game wore on, the pressure to secure the victory increased, which required the team to remain composed and mature. Arteta praised both the players and the crowd for their patience, waiting for the right moments to strike rather than forcing the issue prematurely.
At 0-0, he was visibly pushing hard for a breakthrough, stressing the importance of collective effort; the players were giving their all, and the support staff were fully engaged to back them. Viktor’s goal, in particular, stood out not just because it put the game beyond doubt but also for the way his presence and pace changed the dynamic whenever he was involved. Max Dowman’s energy was also a key factor in lifting the stadium atmosphere.
Arteta also acknowledged the contributions of other players like Gabriel Martinelli and Cristian Mosquera, especially when Jurrien Timber was unavailable. This adaptability has been a recurring theme throughout the season. The impact of the squad members stepping up when called upon underlines why the team is where it is now.
Finally, Arteta touched on the camaraderie within the dressing room; even when his decisions might not always be popular or seem fair, the players accept them with a shared goal to help the team succeed. This mindset, he believes, speaks volumes about the character of the group he’s working with.
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