In a dramatic turn of events at the King Power Stadium, Arsenal kept their Premier League title hopes alive with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Leicester City. Thanks to a stunning late brace from substitute Mikel Merino, the win moves the Gunners to within four points of league leaders Liverpool, setting up a thrilling climax to the season.
With Kai Havertz sidelined due to injury, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was forced to field a makeshift front three consisting of Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri, and Raheem Sterling. While Nwaneri shone brightly, Sterling endured a nightmare performance, struggling to make an impact and repeatedly caught offside. The Gunners looked destined to drop two costly points until Arteta’s tactical changes turned the game on its head.
Enter Mikel Merino. The Spanish midfielder, deployed as a makeshift striker in the final 20 minutes, became the hero of the hour. He broke the deadlock with a well-timed header from Nwaneri’s pinpoint cross and then sealed the victory by turning in Trossard’s delivery at the back post. Merino’s double not only secured the three points but also highlighted his versatility and composure in front of goal.
Player Ratings: Arsenal’s Standouts and Struggles
Goalkeeper & Defence
- David Raya (6/10): A quiet afternoon with few saves to make, though he had some nervy moments with the ball at his feet.
- Jurrien Timber (7/10): Solid defensively and delivered a superb cross that Merino nearly converted.
- William Saliba (7/10): Barely troubled by Jamie Vardy, cruising through the game.
- Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10): Partnered Saliba seamlessly in a comfortable defensive display.
- Myles Lewis-Skelly (7/10): The young left-back made a sensational goal-line clearance to deny Leicester a certain goal.
Midfield
- Thomas Partey (5/10): Uncharacteristically poor in possession, particularly in the first half.
- Declan Rice (7/10): Arsenal’s best midfielder on the day, though he missed a good headed chance.
- Martin Odegaard (6/10): Showed glimpses of quality but needs to take more responsibility in attacking areas.
Attack
- Raheem Sterling (3/10): A disastrous performance. Struggled to make an impact and was repeatedly caught offside before being substituted.
- Leandro Trossard (6/10): Frustrating at times but improved when moved to the left, providing the assist for Merino’s second goal.
- Ethan Nwaneri (8/10): The standout performer in attack. Hit the woodwork twice and provided a crucial assist. A star in the making.
Substitutes & Manager
- Mikel Merino (9/10): The match-winner. Two goals in 20 minutes to rescue Arsenal’s title hopes.
- Jorginho (6/10): Brought stability after replacing Partey.
- Riccardo Calafiori (7/10): Added energy and physicality, contributing to the second goal.
- Mikel Arteta (7/10): His substitutions ultimately changed the game, though Sterling’s early removal might have been wiser.
Looking Ahead
Arsenal’s victory keeps them firmly in the title race, but questions remain about their attacking setup. While Ethan Nwaneri’s emergence as a bright spark is encouraging, Raheem Sterling’s poor form raises concerns. With Merino’s heroics, Arteta faces a selection dilemma for next week’s fixture. One thing is certain: Arsenal’s title charge is far from over, and their resilience under pressure continues to shine through.
The Gunners will now turn their attention to their next challenge, knowing every point is crucial in their pursuit of Premier League glory.
