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Live updates from our reporter Nick Callow at the King Power Stadium for Leicester City v Arsenal.
Merino: “It’s the first time in my career I’ve played in that position. But he told me to go as a striker, make sure I go with my strengths. Luckily, I could help the team with two goals.”
Mikel Merino on being used a striker after his late brace secured victory for the Gunners: “Arteta told me I was going to come in as a striker. We were talking this morning about it with one of the assistants and honestly it was a surprise.”
And Arsenal win it!
Merino’s late double secures a hard-fought win for Mikel Arteta’s side who move to within four points of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
Leicester remain in the relegation zone after another defeat.
A great catch from David Raya from a Leicester corner.
That should be it.
Do Arsenal have an unlikely hero?
Mikel Merino has scored twice in 18 minutes after coming off the bench as a centre-forward 🔥
An unlikely solution to Arsenal’s striker options? 👀 pic.twitter.com/zGGLhqX3jK
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 15, 2025
Kieran Tierney comes on for Leandro Trossard.
And that’s that!
What an impact from Mikel Merino. Great work from Calafiori to get the ball up the pitch and to Trossard, who fires a brilliant ball to the back post for Merino to tap in.
Game, set and match!
Jorginho is booked for taking down Mavididi on the counterattack.
Patson Daka and Facundo Buonanotte come on for Wilfred Ndidi and Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
What a priceless goal from Arsenal that could be.
The gap between Mikel Arteta’s side and Liverpool is now just four points.
Arsenal find a way through Leicester!
Nwaneri dinks the ball into the box and substitute Merino heads into the bottom corner.
What drama!
What a save by Mads Hermansen!
The Danish goalkeeper pulls off a flying save to tip Nwaneri’s powerful shot onto the post.
Thomas Partey and Lewis-Skelly also come off, with Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori coming on.
Jordan Ayew comes off for Stephy Mavididi.
What a interception from Myles Lewis-Skelly, who denies Leicester the opener with a priceless touch round the post.
Nick Callow:
“Raheem Sterling substituted and not before time. Sad to see the England international so low on confidence. Would not be a surprise if Arteta looks for alternatives from within his ranks for the rest of the season. Today, he has gone for midfielder Mikel Merino in attack!”
Mikel Merino is coming on for Raheem Sterling, who has struggled today.
Nwaneri is brought down by Victor Kristiansen, but the freekick leads to nothing.
It’s that man Nwaneri again, who fires the ball from the edge of the area and his shot strikes the bar.
Raheem Sterling wins a corner from Wilfred Ndidi.
The resulting corner leads to nothing.
Arsenal are starting to pick up the tempo and have been firing in corners.
Ethan Nwaneri was arguably Arsenal’s best player in the first half:
In the first half against Leicester, Ethan Nwaneri had:
✅ 100% successful take-ons (5/5)
✅ 100% duels won (8/8)
✅ 100% tackles won (2/2)Perfection. 💫 pic.twitter.com/O2ML1OZLvz
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 15, 2025
Bilal El Khannouss is the first in the book after a late challenge on Thomas Partey.
And we’re back underway for the second half!
Nick Callow:
“Leicester should be going into half-time in front here. They have patiently soaked up Arsenal’s pressure and that was a poor header 45th minute header by by Wilfred Ndidi – should have at least hit the target.”
