Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has issued a sharp warning to Mikel Arteta, saying the Gunners could throw away the Premier League title if the manager continues deploying midfielder Mikel Merino as a centre-forward instead of using a natural striker like Viktor Gyokeres.
Arsenal, sitting two points clear at the top, face Wolves this weekend after suffering a damaging defeat to Aston Villa, a loss Merson believes exposed the flaw in Arteta’s tactical choices.
“If Arsenal want to win the league, they need a striker. Playing Merino up front is not the answer. Gyokeres should be leading the line,” Merson said.
He criticised Arteta’s decision to start Merino in the central attacking role against Villa, describing it as a miscalculation that made Arsenal easier to defend against.
“It didn’t work. Merino is a midfielder, not someone who will stretch defences or cause chaos in the box. Arsenal needed Gyokeres, his movement, his aggression, his instinct,” Merson insisted.
The former Arsenal forward said the Premier League title race is too tight for experiments or misplaced tactical boldness.
“This isn’t the time for trying things out. If Arsenal don’t fix this quickly, they will be caught. Manchester City and Liverpool won’t wait for them,” he added.
Merson argued that Arsenal’s attack becomes predictable without a traditional striker, reducing their ability to break down compact opponents.
“A team like Villa will sit deep and defend well. That’s when you need a striker to make runs, hold up play, and finish chances. Arsenal didn’t have that, and it cost them,” he explained.
He further warned that if Arteta continues with the current setup, the club risks undoing the progress that has put them at the summit of the league.
“Arsenal are in a great position, but they can mess it up. They need a proper No. 9 on the pitch, every big title-winning side has one,” Merson concluded.
