Arsenal goalscorer Mikel Merino has been nominated for the Champions League’s official Player of the Week award, with voting open now.
Arsenal won comfortably away to Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Mikel Merino playing a big role in the victory.
Starting at centre-forward in the absence of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Viktor Gyokeres, Merino scored a brace with an excellent first-time finish on his left foot and a header that caught the opposition goalkeeper by surprise.
The Champions League’s official website has confirmed that Merino is now up for their Player of the Week award, alongside Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray, Carlos Forbs of Club Brugge, and Phil Foden of Manchester City. Voting is currently open here.
As well as featuring in the Champions League’s Player of the Week vote, Merino also made WhoScored’s Team of the Week with an 8.70 rating.
There’s no doubt the Spaniard’s two goals were the primary driver of that rating, as he scored his brace from his only two shots across the 90 minutes. The 29-year-old also created one chance, made one tackle and three interceptions.
Despite Arsenal having three strikers in the squad, all the injuries mean midfielder Merino remains vital to the team up front.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping for another couple of goals at the weekend against Sunderland, with the squad expecting to welcome back Gyokeres and Havertz not long after the subsequent November internationals.