Mikel Arteta has wildcard solution to Arsenal injury puzzle as £32m star set for new role

Mikel Arteta has a trick up his sleeve as Arsenal gear up for the fixture-filled festive period

If Arsenal lose any more centre-backs to injury, then Mikel Arteta could always call on Mikel Merino. The 29-year-old midfielder has prided himself as a 'jack-of-all-trades' at the Emirates Stadium, providing cover for the strikers, and he could be set for a new role.

Merino enjoyed a spell at centre-back during his one and only season at Borussia Dortmund. He featured eight times in the Bundesliga during the 2016/17 campaign, playing at the heart of defence on three separate occasions.

The Spaniard first starred at centre-back in October 2016, helping Dortmund come from behind to salvage a point against Hertha Berlin. Merino only played a single minute in the German top-flight before reappearing in the backline a couple of months later.

This time, he featured on the right-hand side of a back-three as Dortmund came from behind – again – to draw with Augsburg. Merino was used sparingly at the Signal Iduna Park, with his final game at centre-back for the German outfit coming in March 2017.

Despite this, he was regularly called up to the Spain Under-21s, slotting into the backline on three occasions. While Merino hasn't played the position since, he's certainly a wildcard option if Arsenal lose any more centre-backs to injury.

In an interview with The Guardian earlier this year, the Spaniard, who the Gunners signed from Real Sociedad for £32million in the summer of 2024, revealed that he started out in goal at school. He joked: "No more: I have to protect my shoulder now."

Merino continued: "I’ve been a left‑sided centre-back. At Dortmund I played there in a three. And in a back four, in the Spain Under-21s. I’ve played as a number six… I’ve played as a number eight… I’ve played as a number 10… as a kid, I played here, on the right wing…"

When asked what his favourite position is, pointing to the edge of the box, he replied: "Pfff, I don’t know. Lately, I like this one. You know, I’m getting a taste for it."

Merino has already featured 20 times across all competitions this season, appearing just as often as a midfielder and a centre-forward. The Spaniard led the frontline in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

He broke the deadlock in the opening quarter of an hour before turning provider in stoppage time to tee up Bukayo Saka. Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Arteta said with a big grin on his face: "He was immense again today.

"The way he scored the goal, super smart. His timing, the way he wins the position and execution. He makes the team much better."