Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino turned unlikely hero at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, netting twice as an emergency striker to secure a vital 2-0 victory against Leicester City.
The Spain international, who joined from Real Sociedad last summer, was thrust into an unfamiliar forward role with 20 minutes remaining as the Gunners faced an injury crisis in attack.
Making his first-ever appearance as a striker, Merino responded with a headed goal from Ethan Nwaneri's cross before adding a second late finish at the far post.
Arsenal's injury-hit squad was missing key attackers Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, leaving them struggling to break down a stubborn Leicester defence.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino turned unlikely hero at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, netting twice as an emergency striker to secure a vital 2-0 victory against Leicester City
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"He [Arteta] told me I was going to come in as a striker," Merino revealed. "We were talking about it this morning a little bit with one of the assistants."
"Honestly, it was a surprise because it was the first time in my career that I played in that position but he told me to play as a striker, make sure I go with my strengths."
The 28-year-old admitted the striker experiment was unlikely to continue, saying: "I don't know, I don't think so to be honest."
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Arsenal star Mikel Merino was 'surprised' that Mikel Arteta asked him to play as a striker before their 2-0 win over Leicester on Saturday
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The brace held special meaning for Merino, who dedicated the performance to his wife after missing Valentine's Day celebrations.
"It's funny because I only scored two more braces in my career and it's the first time I scored a brace coming off the bench as a striker," he said.
"It's a good day to score because I forgot to give my wife something on Valentine's day so this goes to her and I think she will appreciate this more than some roses or some chocolates."
While Merino grabbed the headlines with his goals, teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri earned the man of the match award for his influential display.
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"He's an amazing player. Every time I do an interview you guys ask me about him but this is natural because he's such a talent," Merino said of his young team-mate.
The Spaniard particularly praised Nwaneri's assist for his first goal: "Luckily for him today he crossed the ball. I've been talking to him all season I need those kind of balls when I'm arriving in the box and he has such a wonderful left foot."
Mikel Merino was full of praise for Ethan Nwaneri after Arsenal's 2-0 win over Leicester
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The victory keeps Arsenal firmly in the title race, now sitting just four points behind Liverpool with the Reds set to face Wolves on Sunday.
Merino remained focused on the long-term challenge ahead: "This is a long, long season. We have to keep the foot on the gas and I think if we keep doing this job good things will come in the future."
