Arsenal star Mikel Merino closed in on a unique Premier League record with his goal in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.
The Spaniard has now scored seven of his 10 Premier League goals with his head. Only one non-defender in the competition’s history has a better headed-goal ratio.
Merino has registered 28 goal contributions for club and country in 2025.
Premier League Record: Merino Trails One Non-Defender in Header Ratio
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has excelled in the false nine role for Arsenal.
He has played 12 matches in the Premier League, starting six of them and registering two goals and two assists.
Merino has also scored two goals in five Champions League appearances for the Gunners, helping them maintain their 100% record. Owing to their strong start, Arsenal are leading the Champions League winner betting odds market after five matches.
Mikel Arteta deployed Merino as a false nine against Chelsea as well. And in the 59th minute, he cancelled out Trevoh Chalobah’s opener with a clinical header.
The Spaniard connected with Bukayo Saka’s cross from the right, sending his header into the top-left corner.
Mikel Merino has 28 goal contributions for club and country in 2025 🤯 pic.twitter.com/AzJQS4Kisd
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 30, 2025
The goal not only earned Arsenal a crucial point but also took Merino closer to a notable Premier League record. The 29-year-old has scored 70% of his Premier League goals from headers.
According to Opta, only one non-defender in Premier League history has had a higher ratio of headed goals. Former English centre-forward James Scowcroft currently holds the record, with 10 of his 14 Premier League goals (71%) coming from headers.
If Merino’s 11th Premier League goal is also a header, he will reach a headed-goal ratio of 72.7%, surpassing Scowcroft.
Mikel Merino Stats for Arsenal
Arsenal signed Mikel Merino for £31.6 million, including add-ons, from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2024.
The Spain international has since played 40 games for the Gunners in the Premier League, scoring nine goals and providing four assists. In the Champions League, he has registered four goals and three assists in 17 matches for Arsenal.
This season, Merino’s goals and assists have helped the Gunners salvage four points in the Premier League.
After securing 30 points from 13 games, league leaders Arsenal are the title favourites, but they may end up scoring the fewest points since Leicester City in 2015/16.
Who Has the Most Headed Goals in Premier League History?
Peter Crouch made full use of his towering presence in his Premier League career. The 2.01-metre forward scored 108 goals in the English top-flight, with 53 of them being headers. No player in Premier League history has scored more headed goals.
Premier League record goalscorer, Alan Shearer, was also a menace in the air. The Englishman scored 46 of his 260 goals via headers.
| Player | Headed Goals | Total PL Goals | Headed-Goal Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Cahill | 31 | 56 | 55.4% |
| Olivier Giroud | 32 | 90 | 35.6% |
| Teddy Sheringham | 36 | 146 | 24.7% |
| Duncan Ferguson | 36 | 68 | 52.9% |
| Dwight Yorke | 38 | 123 | 30.9% |
| Harry Kane | 40 | 213* | 18.8% |
| Les Ferdinand | 40 | 149 | 26.8% |
| Dion Dublin | 45 | 111 | 40.5% |
| Alan Shearer | 46 | 260 | 17.7% |
| Peter Crouch | 53 | 108 | 49.1% |
