Fans are comparing Mikel Merino to Premier League cult hero after heroics against Leicester and it's spot on

Arsenal midfielder-turned-striker Mikel Merino is being compared to a Premier League cult hero after the Spaniard scored twice in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Leicester City.

Mikel Arteta's side are currently without a recognised striker after Kai Havertz was ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury sustained during their warm weather training camp in Dubai.

As a result, the Gunners have just three fit senior attackers available in Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling, who all started their Premier League clash against Leicester.

It was a slog at times but after struggling in forward areas for large spells, Mikel Arteta replaced the out-of-form Sterling with midfielder Mikel Merino with 20 minutes to go – and everything changed.

The Spaniard, who joined from Real Sociedad in the summer for £28.4 million, netted a late brace to secure a crucial three points for title challengers Arsenal.

As he made a huge impact on the game, Merino was compared to former Everton and Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini – a player that would often be thrown forward in the latter stages of games.

Here's how fans on social media reacted to the scenes at the King Power.

One said: "Mikel Merino, the Fellaini arc. I told ya’ll," while another commented: "Mikel Merino is Arsenal's very own Marouane Fellaini. David Moyes - Fellaini. Mikel Arteta - Merino."

A third wrote: "Merino could basically be our Fellaini. Nwaneri btw. That kid is special, not even Saka was doing this at 17."

A fourth said: "Tears what was Arteta cooking when he said he saw shades of Fellaini in Mikel Merino. He plays exactly like him up front," and a fifth added: "We’ve got the new Fellaini. Mikel Merino take a bow."

Marouane Fellaini walked so Mikel Merino could run. pic.twitter.com/MzB07b3hvO

— B.N (@BNfutbol_) February 15, 2025

William Saliba, who played as a striker for first club AS Bondy in France, is also ready to step up and play as a forward.

In the past, the Frenchman has said: “I was happy to be the main striker. Most of the time I played, I scored.”

And amid Arsenal's injury crisis, Mikel Arteta has admitted his side are "going to have to be creative" as they try and find alternatives.

“Willy always says ‘I’ll play as striker'. Straight away it was one of his reactions," Arteta said. "Willy is so funny but it is true he played there. He used to score a lot. But a lot of players played there when they were younger."

The Spaniard added: “Is that an option to put them up front? You never know what’s going to happen. We are going to have to be creative.”

Thanks to Merino's heroics, Arsenal now sit four points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.