Arsenal overcame their injury setbacks to secure a crucial 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Saturday, reducing the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points.
Struggling to break down Leicester at the King Power Stadium, Mikel Arteta turned to Spain midfielder Mikel Merino as an emergency striker in the final stages. The substitution proved decisive, as Merino struck twice in the last nine minutes to extend Arsenal’s unbeaten league run to 15 matches.
The Gunners, returning to action after their League Cup semi-final exit against Newcastle and an extended break due to their FA Cup elimination, needed a win to stay in the title race. With Liverpool dropping points in a draw against Everton, Arsenal took advantage of the opportunity.
Arteta faced significant attacking challenges, with Kai Havertz ruled out for the season due to a hamstring injury suffered during training in Dubai. Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli were also unavailable, forcing Arteta to deploy Leandro Trossard as a makeshift striker, flanked by teenager Ethan Nwaneri and an out-of-form Raheem Sterling.
Leicester, battling relegation, struggled to contain Arsenal’s late surge. Despite a slow first half, Nwaneri provided a rare spark, nearly scoring on multiple occasions and assisting the opener in the 81st minute. His precise cross found Merino, who headed past Mads Hermansen from close range.
Merino doubled his tally seven minutes later, meeting Trossard’s delivery with a composed finish to seal Arsenal’s victory. The result keeps the Gunners firmly in contention for the title race as they continue to chase Liverpool.
