A late double from stand-in Mikel Merino secured a vital 2-0 win for Arsenal against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, which saw them stretch their Premier League undefeated run to 15 games and keep their title hopes alive.
It was a rogue blow for the Gunners leading up to the clash with the news that Kai Havertz would be sidelined for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury. With Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka also out, Mikel Arteta started Leandro Trossard as a makeshift striker, supported by Raheem Sterling and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.
Arsenal had few chances of their own in the first half, Declan Rice’s misplaced header their only effort of note. Leicester, too, was without an attacking threat, although Wilfred Ndidi made David Raya make a save and then missed a free header before the break.
Nwaneri was the closest to scoring but saw one effort hit the crossbar before another crashed into the post after half-time. His perseverance was rewarded in the 82nd minute, when his measured cross found Merino, who nodded in the club’s fourth. Six minutes later the victory was secured by the Spanish midfielder, sliding in to convert Trossard’s delivery.
Arsenal stay four points behind leaders Liverpool, while Leicester’s fifth straight defeat means they are deep in relegation trouble.
