Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino said he hoped his match-winning brace against Leicester City would be enough to satisfy his wife after he forgot to buy her a Valentine’s Day present on Friday.
Spain international Merino stole the hearts of Gunners supporters on Saturday afternoon as he emerged from the bench to score twice in the final 10 minutes at the King Power Stadium to keep his side’s Premier League title hopes alive.
The 28-year-old was called upon with 21 minutes of the game remaining in the East Midlands after Raheem Sterling had failed to impress on just his fourth Premier League start since moving to the Emirates in September.
However, former Real Sociedad man Merino, playing as a striker for the first time in his career, was able to produce the goods and close the gap to Liverpool to four points ahead of their clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Merino said: “It’s the first time in my career that I’ve played as a striker. The manager told me to use my strengths and I think I did that.”
But despite his two-goal salvo, Merino doesn’t see his future at the top end of the pitch: “I don’t think so, to be honest,” he said. “But it’s a good day to score because I forgot to give my wife a Valentine’s Day present, so I think she’ll appreciate this more than a rose or some chocolates.
“Thank you to our amazing fans, they make it easier for us and games like this are great for our belief.”
On the performance of Ethan Nwaneri, who set up his first goal, Merino said: “He’s an amazing player. Every time I do an interview, you guys ask me for him!
“That’s natural because he is such a talent. He has such a wonderful left foot and he put the ball right on my head so that all I could do was score.”
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- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
