Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta proven right as striker transfer decision emerges
Arsenal once again beat their London rivals Chelsea in the Premier League to cut the gap to Liverpool and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta appeared to get his major decision spot on
Mikel Arteta applauds fans after Arsenal’s win against Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal are closing in on their place in the Champions League with another win against Chelsea.
The Gunners squeezed past their London rivals at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. It leaves them second in the table, with their title hopes still just about alive.
But he was the matchwinner once more as he guided home a header from a first-half corner. The strike saw Arsenal end their barren run of goals from corners.
Arteta’s side had not scored from their previous 98 corners despite having put together a brilliant goalscoring record from set-pieces this season. The North London side are back in action after the international break as they take on a resurgent Everton side.
Striker sale explained
While Merino deputised well as a striker against Chelsea, the Gunners might have had an in-form forward leading the line. Mika Biereth spent three years with Arsenal after arriving from Fulham.
But he went on to join Sturm Graz on a permanent deal last summer ahead of a switch to Monaco. And Biereth has since shone with ten goals in just 11 appearances for the French side.
And it has now been explained why he was sold – because he did not have the right profile for a player Arteta likes to lead the line. Talking about his time in North London, Biereth said: “Making it at Arsenal isn’t the be-all and end-all of someone’s career. There are many ways of having a successful career outside of Arsenal.”
Arteta gives exciting Saka update
Mikel Arteta has suggested that Bukayo Saka could return to action after the international break. The Arsenal winger has been sidelined since December with a hamstring injury.
Asked if he could return in a fortnight, Arteta said: “He has a good chance, yes.”
