4 'streets won't forget' moments from Arsenal's 2024/25 season

2. Mikel Merino at striker

Midway through February, Arsenal faced a fight to keep their title hopes alive and a trip to Leicester City seemed to be one of the games stopping them from doing so. A flat Gunners side caused the then-relegation prospects little trouble and looked to be heading for a stalemate at the King Power Stadium, until on stepped Mikel Merino.

With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus out for the remainder of the season due to injury, Arsenal were left without a striker and ahead of the trip to the East Midlands, Mikel Arteta hinted at his namesake being utilised as a makeshift emergency striker, and that is exactly what he did.

The decision to make the Gunners' summer midfield signing their new striker raised eyebrows, but the experiment was soon proven to be worth it. With nine minutes to play, the Spaniard rose well to meet Ethan Nwaneri's cross and head past Mads Hermansen. He then grabbed a second moments later with a good run to meet Leandro Trossard's pass at the back post.

Arteta's risk had paid off and he found his striker for the rest of the season. Merino went on to score in Champions League ties against Real Madrid and PSV Eindhoven, as well as netting again in the Premier League.

He finished the season with six goals and three assists in 12 appearances as a striker and that wasn't a bad return for someone who had never played in the position before. With the Gunners finally on the hunt for a striker, Merino isn't likely to be used in the role in a regular capacity next year, but fans will always fondly remember his goalscoring efforts in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.

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