Carragher U-turns to hail 'revelation' he felt Arsenal should never have signed (2025)

Arsenal signed Mikel Merino in the summer and Jamie Carragher wasn't sold on their recruitment but has now confessed how impressive the Spanish international has been as a makeshift striker

Jamie Carragher admits Mikel Merino has been a "revelation" for Arsenal despite previously being critical of his signing. The Spaniard moved to the Gunners in the summer after a successful Euro 2024 campaign.

Merino, formerly of Newcastle, moved to the Emirates from Real Sociedad for £30million as Mikel Arteta sought to bolster his midfield ranks. Arsenal were urged to sign a striker in the same window, but ultimately struck with the forward ranks they had.

That has come back to haunt them this term with numerous injuries depleting their frontline, which has contributed to them failing to challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title. They've lacked a prolific goalscorer with no player hitting double figures in the league.

Carragher admits that adding more bodies in the middle of the park wasn't the smart move, saying: "Prioritising signing midfielder Mikel Merino ahead of another attacker last summer looks like a mistake. Merino is not a game-changer."

The Sky Sports pundit looks to have change his stance on Merino's signing. The Spanish international has doubled up as a makeshift striker such has been Arteta's lack of resources but he's been a huge hit, contributing massively for the Gunners.

Carragher has now said in light of his impressive form: "I just look at Merino, he’s been a revelation since he took on that striker role. I know he’s deeper today, but in the last 13 games he has six goals and four assists."

Merino has come up trumps in the attacking third and first proved a hit when he appeared off the bench in the win at Leicester back in February. The 28-year-old scored a brace late in the game and has since found the net against the likes of Chelsea and Fulham.

Merino is now stranger to big goals, coming up with an extra-time winner to see off Germany at the Euros as Spain went on to claim glory. Arteta admits his experience in the final third is minimal but his characteristics make him more than able to play the position.

"We have had top players out for many many months," said the Arsenal boss. "Our team has an incredible resilience. Mikel really wants to do well, he has never played that position before but he is scoring goals. He is a really dangerous player in the box and he can help us. Really pleased, even physically it is a very different game to play as a nine."

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