Arsenal continued their Premier League winning run with a 2-0 triumph over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
The Gunners had a tough outing with limited clear-cut chances, but managed to pick up maximum points with two late goals.
Arsenal made their strikerless debut in a much-needed 2-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, a game they didn’t entirely have their own way.
Mikel Arteta will have no doubt been disappointed with Arsenal’s first half efforts at Leicester, a performance that was rather toothless.
However, once Mikel Merino was introduced to the game, Arsenal suddenly had a focal point, and it quickly became clear that they had brought on a finisher too.
Merino arguably finished his chances better than any Arsenal player has all season, a timely contribution to say the least.
And at the expense of Raheem Sterling, it would now be a big surprise if Merino didn’t start at home to West Ham United next weekend, and perhaps even for the remainder of the season.
Arsenal will be eager to pick up from where they left off when they return to action next weekend. The Gunners will lock horns with West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday as the Premier League title race builds a head of steam.
Mikel Arteta’s side are now just four points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand. The Reds have established a cushion at the top of the table, but they’re set to face Manchester City soon.
The reigning English champions have struggled this season, but they looked back to their best when they put four past Newcastle United on Saturday.
William Saliba has described Mikel Merino as the ‘best striker in the world’. After Arsenal’s clash against Leicester City, the Spaniard marked his heroics with a celebratory post on Instagram – which he brilliant captioned: “‘Number 9’ day at work’…”
Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly flooded Merino’s comments section, but one message from Saliba stood out. Under his post, the 23-year-old defender wrote:
If you could dream up a scenario which might have secured striker-less Arsenal a victory in their first game following the loss of Kai Havertz, Mikel Merino jumping off the bench to leap and meet Ethan Nwaneri’s perfect cross would probably have been one of the scenarios. Then, sealing the game with a second, minutes later, to eradicate any nerves was near-perfect.
Everything that happened prior to the goal, however, was anything but perfect; but more on that later. The win takes Arsenal within four points of Liverpool and adds pressure to their title rivals as they host Wolves on Sunday afternoon.
Make no mistake, Liverpool players, staff, and fans will have been looking at the clock ticking down and hoping of restoring their nine-point lead after the draw in the Merseyside derby. The late goals might have tested the Gunners’ resolve and composure, but a comfortable win might not have had the same mental implications for their rivals.
Mikel Arteta spoke after the game after being asked whether Merino is indeed now the solution. Of course, that is not the case, nor should it be, but he is an option, and the manager certainly wants the burden to be shared.
The next player to come back is expected to be Gabriel Martinelli, but the Gunners will need to find a way of navigating the upcoming handful of games without him. Most would say that West Ham at home, like against Leicester, is an expectation for Arsenal to find a way through relatively comfortably and claim three points.
But the trip to Nottingham Forest, a ground where Arsenal have notoriously struggled to get a result, losing in the league and cup with many more senior forwards available to them, will be a far sterner test. Yet what these games offer is a significant momentum and morale-boosting reward should they find a way to win.
Arsenal would drop points in just two matches in the whole of the second half of the previous season. With the win over Leicester, the club remain just three points off the tally at the same stage of the previous season.
Super sub Mikel Merino saved Arsenal’s blushes at lowly Leicester as the makeshift striker’s brace secured a much-needed win for the Premier League title hopefuls.
Mikel Arteta’s men headed to the King Power Stadium reeling from a season-ending injury to top scorer Kai Havertz that looked like it was about to be compounded by the embattled Foxes.
Arsenal’s new frontline failed to click but the decision to replace rusty Raheem Sterling with Merino proved inspired as the midfielder went up front and scored goals a striker would be proud of to seal a 2-0 victory.
The result cuts the gap to Liverpool to four points ahead of the Premier League leaders’ home match against Wolves on Sunday.
The away end bellowed out Merino’s name on a day when impressive 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri shone brightest, twice hitting the woodwork before providing the cross for the headed opener.
The result cuts the gap to Liverpool to four points ahead of the Premier League leaders’ home match against Wolves on Sunday.
The away end bellowed out Merino’s name on a day when impressive 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri shone brightest, twice hitting the woodwork before providing the cross for the headed opener.
Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha acknowledged fans’ frustrations in his programme notes but called on them to back the side.
In truth, the atmosphere was flat beyond Arsenal’s impressive away support, who saw their side dominate first half possession without seriously threatening the hosts.
Mikel Arteta faces the press after Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The Gunners travelled to the east midlands missing many of their starting forwards as Arteta had his first taste of battling with a hand tied behind his side’s back.
It was evident how much threat the Gunners lacked as the best chances fell to the 17-year-old as the game went on without many major opportunities. He hit the bar and post with brilliant strikes but to no avail.
However, he would provide the cross which found a leaping Mikel Merino. The Spaniard headed past Mads Hermansen who had been given very little to do for most of the game and then scored a second soon after following a brilliant Trossard cross.
A Chelsea legend has delivered high praise to Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League match away to Leicester City on Saturday.
Joe Cole was on punditry and commentary duty for TNT Sports as Arsenal travelled to the King Power Stadium to take on Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City in Saturday’s Premier League early kick-off, and could not hide his praise for Nwaneri.
Speaking ahead of the game, Cole, who played 282 times in all competitions for Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea, claimed: “[Ethan] Nwaneri is the best young player in the country.”
As Arsenal battle a severe injury crisis, which currently sees Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined simultaneously, Nwaneri has been rewarded with increased playing time amidst his breakout season, and was named in the Gunners’ starting lineup against Leicester City.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also shared his views on the England youth international after recalling him to the starting lineup, saying: “He has competed and played really well with and without pressure, with no expectations. That’s him, it’s in his nature. He’ll play with no fear, take initiative and make it happen.”
Despite still being just 17 years old, Nwaneri has already made 23 first-team appearances so far in the 2024/25 campaign, and has amassed an impressive seven goals, averaging a goal in every 100 minutes that he has played so far – with three in the Carabao Cup, one in the UEFA Champions League as well as three in the Premier League – which has led to high praise from all corners of the footballing community.
Mikel Merino was Arsenal’s saviour off the bench as he netted a late brace to seal a needed victory over Leicester City. Now without Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli due to hamstring injuries, the Gunners struggled significantly until two moments of real quality in the final 10 minutes.
Despite some bright moments from Nwaneri in the opening 45, Arteta’s new-look attack struggled to get beyond a stubborn Leicester defence. Trossard went closest for the visitors after a lofted pass over the top by Martin Odegaard, but he was unable to get much power on his effort, which allowed Mads Hermansen to gather with ease.
As for Leicester, Wilfred Ndidi tested David Raya with a volley before heading just wide on the stroke of half-time. Nwaneri’s influence continued in the second period with the teenager firing an effort narrowly over before striking the post in the final 15 minutes.
Unsurprisingly, Nwaneri played a huge role in the opening goal as his ball into the box was nodded into the corner by Merino. Moments later, the Spaniard side-footed a superb Leandro Trossard cross into the back of the net to calm any nerves.
The victory has taken Arsenal to within three points of league leaders Liverpool before their clash against Wolves at Anfield on Sunday.
Arsenal next five Premier League fixtures
February 22 vs West Ham (H) at 3pm
February 26 vs Nott’m Forest (A) at 7.30pm
March 9 vs Manchester United (A) at 4.30pm
March 16 vs Chelsea (H) at 3pm
April 1 vs Fulham (H) at 7:45pm
The first half was a worrying sign for the Gunners who created incredibly little. Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard were caught offside more times each than the side had shots.
Ethan Nwaneri would hit the bar in the second half to give some belief that a goal was coming for Arsenal. Then he managed to try another magical strike which struck the post square-on.
He would take a break from shooting, however, to find the perfect cross. Curling a ball to the back-post where Mikel Merino would leap and head into the back of the net, before the midfielder added another on a breakaway to seal all three points.
David Raya – Had very little to do in the first half and was tested only with a half-hit volley from Wilfred Ndidi which he comfortably collected. 7
Jurrien Timber – Strong on the right-hand side, finding good passes and support to Ethan Nwaneri. Reliable in tight spaces but did lack the overlapping threat still other full-backs offer. 7
William Saliba – After a tricky start to the year, William Saliba was back to hit best again and looked composed at the back for Arsenal. Rarely tested by Jamie Vardy during the game. 7
Gabriel Magalhaes – Similar to Saliba, faced few tests during the game but sadly could not have the impact he has become infamous for in the opposition box. 7
Arsenal take on Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in today’s early Premier League kick-off.
The Gunners are presently seven points behind leaders Liverpool. They have the opportunity to reduce the gap before the Reds host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
The Gunners are presently seven points behind leaders Liverpool. They have the opportunity to reduce the gap before the Reds host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.