Wayne Rooney has named an Arsenal star he believes has been ‘disrespected’ this season, despite his positional versatility during the Gunners’ injury crisis this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side have suffered a staggering number of injuries in the 2024-25 campaign, many long-term issues, especially to key attacking players.
Injuries to Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have seen the Gunners threadbare up front, which did them no good in their uphill climb to stop Liverpool from winning the Premier League title.
A significant obstacle to Arsenal’s success was their lacklustre goalscoring record, in light of these injuries. The north London club have scored 63 goals in the league this season, 17 fewer than Liverpool, and less than Newcastle (65) and Manchester City (66).
Amid Arsenal’s injury woes up front, Arteta has deployed midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker for many games – and the Spaniard has certainly held his own, tallying 10 goal contributions in his last 13 outings.
But Rooney does not believe Merino has been given the credit he deserves for his efforts, which have helped Arsenal reach the Champions League semi-finals, where they face PSG.
Wayne Rooney argued Mikel Merino has been ‘disrespected’ despite his efforts this season
The Arsenal star has tallied 10 goal contributions in his last 13 games playing an attacking role
Mikel Arteta’s side have suffered major injury issues this season with key attacking players
‘He’s been fantastic, there’s also maybe been a bit of disrespect,’ Rooney said ahead of Arsenal’s clash against the Ligue 1 champions on Tuesday.
The Manchester United legend explained that switching between playing as a midfielder and a forward is no walk in the park, having had to do so towards the latter stages of his career.
Rooney often played as a No 8 under Jose Mourinho, having spent his most prolific years as one of the Premier League’s best forwards.
‘He’s stepped into the No 9 role, I know how tough it is to go from No 8 or No 10 to a No 9, and it’s a real change in mindset. He’s been incredible and has got some really important goals.
‘His finishing has been great but you show the passes and the midfield player in him, it’s important you have the likes of Saka and Martinelli making the runs. He’s really stepped up and his movement has been really good.
‘You need to be more clinical as a No 9, more patient, link the play, play with your back to goal a lot.’
Merino explained last month that his transition to playing as a striker – having spent the majority of his career as a central midfielder – has been ‘crazy’.
He said: ‘It is kind of crazy, to be honest, but at the same time, it is about having the right mentality, the right approach to the game.
Naturally a midfielder, Merino has stepped in as a makeshift striker amid Arsenal’s injury crisis
‘If the coach tells you to play one position, alright you have to take all your characteristics and put it on the table for the team.
‘I am trying to adapt. I am trying to do things the best way possible and, obviously, some days will be better, some days will be worse – but the work is there every day, the grind.’
Merino joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad for £33million last summer, signing a four-year deal at the Emirates.
He has since made 40 appearances in red, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in that time.
