Arsenal return to Premier League action against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
The Gunners have had a good start to the top-flight campaign, and they presently have a slender one-point advantage over second-placed Liverpool.
They have the chance to extend the gap with a first away win over Fulham since March 2023.
This would put extra pressure on the Reds, who host Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.
Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta could contemplate starting Mikel Merino after his goalscoring exploits for Spain on World Cup qualifier duty this month.
The 29-year-old has hit a purple scoring patch for La Roja. He scored four goals during the September international break, including a hat-trick in the 6-0 rout of Turkey.
This saw him rewarded with a starting role against Nottingham Forest on his return. Declan Rice was surprisingly left on the bench and came on as a late substitute.
Speaking after the 3-0 win, Arteta said that he wanted to capitalise on Merino’s form.
Merino was back among the goals for the European champions this week. He scored a wonderful headed brace against Bulgaria and also won a late stoppage-time penalty.
Based on what happened last month, it won’t be a surprise if Merino makes the starting XI this weekend.
The midfielder, who has been described as a ‘really dangerous‘ player in the box by Arteta, could start in the centre of the park along with Martin Zubimendi and Rice.
It may not be well-received by some fans, given that he has been slow with his decision-making. Merino does not have the same space and time as on international duty.
He has evolved into a terrific impact player with his newfound goalscoring trait, but he has not performed at his best from the starting line-up for Arsenal so far this season.
If Merino were to start in midfield on Saturday, we would prefer to see Eberechi Eze slotting in on the left wing ahead of Leandro Trossard, who has been equally inconsistent.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
