💎 Gem Bet: Mikel Merino - Over 1.5 Shots @ 1.83 (bet365)

This gem is best priced, among bookies with Super Sub features, with bet365. Sign up here and get £30 in free bets when you back this gem with £10.

Mikel Merino is expected to lead the line again for Arsenal, with Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz inching closer to a return to action but not quite ready to start.

Merino has proven over the last year that he can be an effective stop-gap option for Arsenal to lead the line at times in the season when they may collect a few injuries in one area of the pitch. He’s led the line for Arsenal for the last four matches, registering four goal contributions in this period and having eight shots - including four against Bayern Munich last time out.

Merino netted nine goals for Arsenal across all competitions last term, with seven of those strikes coming in the Premier League. He averaged 2.16 shots per 90 across his 28 appearances in the top-flight last term, showing how consistent he is as a shot threat for Arsenal when leading the line. 

Mikel Arteta has noted in recent press conferences that Havertz and Gyokeres are ‘closer and closer’ to a return to first team action, so we’re likely to see at least one on the bench here, which can support this selection through Sub On Play On. Arsenal’s depth has been key this season, with a recent example of Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke coming on to score against Bayern Munich, so Sub On Play On could be an avenue to this selection winning should Merino not quite cover this shot line when he is on the pitch.

There is serious value with backing this selection with bet365, the exact same pick is priced as low as 1.17 with other major bookmakers.