Midfielder Mikel Merino scored two late goals to help keep Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League title alive with a 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Saturday. Merino was asked to play as a makeshift centre-forward due to several injuries in the team’s attack.
Arsenal now have 53 points from 25 matches, sitting four points behind leaders Liverpool, who have played one less game. Leicester, on the other hand, are in the relegation zone with just 17 points from 25 matches this season.
Merino, who came on as a substitute, scored the first goal in the 81st minute by heading in a cross from teenager Ethan Nwaneri. He then added another goal six minutes later, tapping in a ball from Leandro Trossard at the back post.
“[Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta] told me I would come on as a striker and to make sure I play to my strengths. It is the first time in my career that I play in that position”.
“Today was a tough game, we knew coming to play this team battling relegation it would be. But games like today are really good for the squad.”
“He [Nwaneri] is an amazing player, he is such a talent. I have been talking to him the whole season about supplying those kinds of balls when I make late runs into the box.”
Arsenal are now unbeaten in 15 league games, winning 10 of them. This is their best run since they went 16 games without a loss in the 2010-11 season under Arsene Wenger.
Leicester have not kept a clean sheet in 17 league games, and there were some protests from fans in the 14th minute of the game, as well as outside the stadium before the match. These protests seemed to be aimed at director of football Jon Rudkin.
Chances were rare in the first half, with two of the best falling to Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. He first had a volley from outside the box that was saved by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, and later missed a header just wide of the post as the first half ended.
Arsenal and LiverpoolArsenal took control of possession early in the second half, getting more touches in the Leicester box. The impressive Nwaneri had a shot from outside the penalty area that skimmed off the top of the crossbar.
With the score still 0-0, Leicester’s Bobby De Cordova-Reid seemed set to score at the back post from a low cross by Jordan Ayew, but Myles Lewis-Skelly made a crucial clearance just in time.
Arsenal’s frustrations continued as Declan Rice passed to Nwaneri, who powered a shot into the box that hit the post.
Finally, Merino found the net twice to secure the win for Arsenal. With key players like Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka all sidelined due to long-term injuries, Merino may have to play as a striker more often.
“I think we did well for 80 minutes to take a result today, but you cannot lose concentration against those teams. It is easy for Merino to head it in. We have to do better in those situations,” said Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss.
“We were fighting all together as a team. We know we have to fight for each ball and that’s what we did for 80 minutes. It’s hard to take.”
