Bukayo Saka thinks Arsenal have a ‘big threat’ that Mikel Arteta might not be using properly

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Bukayo Saka admitted to feeling helpless on the bench as Arsenal chased a winner at Newcastle, but accepted that goal scorer Mikel Merino was a ‘big threat’ to bring on in his place.

In a fiery game, Newcastle were leading by a single Nick Woltemade goal and looking to see out the three points. Mikel Arteta rolled the dice on 70 minutes when he replaced Saka with Gabriel Martinelli and also changed his system by bringing on midfielder Mikel Merino for full-back Ricardo Calafiori.

With six minutes of normal time remaining, Merino glanced in a powerful header to draw Arsenal level, before defender Gabriel Magalhaes nodded in Martin Odegaard’s corner in the 96th minute to win the game.

The victory puts Arsenal just two points behind Liverpool after the leaders lost late at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Bukayo Saka praises Mikel Merino after his goal at Newcastle, suggests another position for midfielder

On interview duty after the game, Saka said it was ‘tough’ to be substituted with Arsenal still trailing Newcastle, before praising goal scorers Merino and Gabriel.

He told Sky Sports: “It’s tough, when you’re on the bench and you can’t control and affect the game, but when you have guys like this guy [Merino], he’s a big threat and obviously a Big Gabi as well.

“I have big trust in my teammates and, you know, we got the win today, so happy days.”

The comments, and Merino’s powerful header, will serve as a reminder of his abilities as a forward – after he deputised there last season.

Mikel Merino can help Arsenal in attack amid Kai Havertz injury and Viktor Gyokeres struggles

As marquee signing Viktor Gyokeres continues to adapt to life at the Emirates Stadium with three goals in eight appearances – all coming in big wins over Leeds and Nottingham Forest – Mikel Arteta will welcome Merino’s goal.

Merino deputised as a makeshift striker last season as injuries derailed Arsenal’s title challenge, and his record in front of goal shows his threat further up the pitch.

In fact, he has scored twice as many goals as a centre forward for Arsenal than from midfield despite only playing a third of his appearances as a striker.

So when Saka describes Merino as a threat, he can perhaps be redeployed as a striker again as Gyokeres continues to adapt to the Premier League and Kai Havertz remains out with injury.