Arsenal stored up the strain on Liverpool on the prime of the Premier League desk with a 2-0 win away at Leicester Metropolis on Saturday.
The Gunners, at present lacking most of their foremost forwards, struggled to interrupt down the Foxes for a lot of the sport.
Nevertheless, an unlikely hero arose as midfielder Mikel Merino got here on within the 69th minute to rescue Arsenal with a late brace.
Picture by Shaun Botterill/Getty Pictures
Within the eightieth minute, Merino rose highest within the field to satisfy Ethan Nwaneri’s cross, sending the ball down and previous Mads Hermansen.
Then, with three minutes left, Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard mixed to arrange Merino for a strike on the again submit.
Arsenal followers watching and following the sport stated Merino reminded them of an Arsenal cult hero – and it’s not Thierry Henry.
Picture by Julian Finney/Getty Pictures
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Arsenal followers evaluate Mikel Merino to Olivier Giroud
Arsenal supporters couldn’t assist however discover the similarities between Merino and Olivier Giroud.
“Merino jogs my memory of Olivier Giroud,” one fan wrote on X. “A whole striker that one.”
One other stated: “Merino turns to prime Giroud. What am I seeing.”
The comparisons stored coming, with one supporter saying: “We had our quantity 9 at dwelling this entire time… Mikel Merino are you Giroud in disguise?”
One other stated: “Merino is nice at heading and ending with ft each it appears. Giroud 2.0 – Saka goes to feast when he comes again.”
Merino, the Spanish Giroud. He’s going to attain quite a lot of targets for Arsenal. #AFC
— Invoice (@AFCBill_) February 15, 2025
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One other stated: “Merino is Giroud 2.0. Begin him subsequent recreation, each these finishes have been severely, striker targets. That 2nd was class.”
How Olivier Giroud fared at Arsenal
Merino will little doubt be happy with the comparisons to Giroud, who made an actual identify for himself at Arsenal as a medical striker who produced magic moments.
Giroud performed for Arsenal between 2012 and 2018, registering 105 targets and 37 assists from 253 appearances for the Gunners.
He had a penchant for some actually outstanding targets, such because the scorpion kick in opposition to Crystal Palace that gained him the 2017 Puskas award.
Throughout his time on the Emirates Stadium, Giroud gained three FA Cups and three Group Shields.
The France worldwide then swapped Arsenal for Chelsea in 2018, claiming 39 targets and 14 assists from 119 outings for the Blues.
Giroud additionally had a fruitful stint at AC Milan, with 132 appearances, 49 targets and 20 assists to his identify.
The 38-year-old at present plies his commerce for Main League Soccer aspect Los Angeles FC.
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Publish date : 2025-02-15 07:15:00
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