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Arsenal: The stats that show why Mikel Merino should start as striker against West Ham - Data could be key factor as Mikel Arteta weighs up whether to start Spaniard up front this weekend

Shaka Hislop believes that Mikel Arteta should start midfielder Mikel Merino up front for Arsenal due to a lack of fit strikers.

The Gunners are without Kai Havertz for the rest of the season after his hamstring injury and Arteta named a front three of Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri last time out. Those three players are the only fit attackers Arteta can call on and the Arsenal manager then turned to Merino as a makeshift centre forward.