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Mikel Arteta was once again full of praise after Arsenal defeated Tottenham 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening to further strengthen their hold on the top spot of the Premier League table.
Arteta was visibly animated throughout the game, and it was obvious just how much it meant to him that the team was playing well and winning as much as possible.
Arsenal ended up beating their biggest rivals 4-1 on the night, and it completely lifted the mood at Emirates, from every staff member, to every fan and every single player on the pitch.
Arteta, in the press conference, was asked about one hero of the match. Someone who did not score any goal, but was crucial in the build-up play and linking up with his teammates.
Mikel Merino was outstanding against Tottenham, and Arteta agreed
Arteta had a lot of praise for his fellow countryman Merino after the huge win, and he even coined a new term for his role for Arsenal.
He said: "Yes, I think he was incredible again, and we are asking him to feel as a nine, and he's not a nine, and to do a lot of the things that a nine has to do.
"But he's such an intelligent player, and his work ethic and his desire to contribute and make others better is that big. And again, those performances give you all the right reason to continue to trust him.
"A defensive nine," was the term that Arteta called Merino's position, and it makes complete sense.
Merino's assist to Leandro Trossard was nothing short of brilliant, but that's not all he did.
He was always there when Arsenal needed someone to be physical with Tottenham's defense and midfield. He won a lot of duels and used his stature and physicality to keep the ball.
He worked really, really hard, as he was always leading Arsenal's press whenever they were out of possession.
Merino also linked up really well with his teammates in the build-up, making sure that Arsenal evade Tottenham's press after the away side finally started coming out of their shell in the second half.
Merino's physicality and intelligence was really important on the night, and his exquisite pass to Trossard was a cherry on the cake.
To think Arsenal put their biggest rivals aside without using any of their natural strikers is fantastic, but make no mistake: Merino may not be a striker, but the way he played, he might as well have been one, and no one would've noticed a difference.