Mikel Merino came off the bench to score a late match-winning brace as Arsenal closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points with a 2-0 win over relegation-haunted Leicester City.
Mikel Arteta’s men struggled to find the creative spark to unlock a stubborn home side in the rain until Merino replaced an ineffectual Raheem Sterling at the 69th minute mark and brought in immediate impact.
The Spain international powered home a brilliant header from Ethan Nwaneri’s cross on 81 minutes before timing his run to perfection to complete the win by sweeping home Leandro Trossard’s cross six minutes later.
“Mikel Arteta told me I was going to come on today as a striker. Honestly, it was a surprise for me as it was the first time I had played in that position. But I went into that position and used my strengths,, and luckily, I helped the team. I don’t think I will play as a striker again!” explained Mikel Merino
With Arsenal disadvantaged by injury problems before this match with Kai Havertz out for the rest of the season due to a serious hamstring injury, and Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all missing, the visitors dug deep to reduce Liverpool’s lead before Arne Slot’s side host Wolves at Anfield on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their past 21 matches in all competitions and remain 18th in the table, two points away from Wolves and safety in their bid to avoid the drop.
