Arsenal secured a vital 2-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, with Mikel Merino delivering a late brace to keep their Premier League title hopes alive. The Gunners struggled to break down a resilient Leicester side but found the breakthrough in the 81st minute before sealing the victory six minutes later.
Player Ratings: Arsenal vs Leicester City
Aaron Ramsdale – 7
Had little to do but remained alert when called upon. A composed performance.
Ben White – 7
Solid defensively and provided good width on the right.
William Saliba – 8
Commanding at the back, winning duels and keeping Leicester’s attack quiet.
Gabriel Magalhães – 7
Physical and composed, ensuring Leicester had minimal chances.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7
Helped in Arsenal’s buildup play, though lacked his usual creativity at times.
Declan Rice – 7.5
Controlled midfield with his usual energy and distribution.
Mikel Merino – 9 (MOTM)
The match-winner. Two superb goals when Arsenal needed inspiration. A true game-changer.
Ethan Nwaneri – 8
The youngster shone in midfield, showing composure beyond his years. His energy and vision were crucial.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Worked hard on the wing, but was well-marked for most of the game.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6.5
Struggled to make an impact but had a few bright moments.
Kai Havertz – 6
Lacked a cutting edge in attack and was substituted in the second half.
Substitutes:
Trossard (7) – Added energy and played a part in Merino’s first goal.
Smith Rowe (6.5) – Kept possession well but had limited time to make an impact.
Match Summary
Leicester frustrated Arsenal for much of the game with disciplined defending and a well-structured midfield. However, Mikel Arteta’s side stayed patient, and when Merino pounced on a loose ball in the box in the 81st minute, Arsenal finally broke the deadlock. The Spanish midfielder then doubled his tally in the 87th minute with a stunning long-range strike, securing all three points for the Gunners.
Ethan Nwaneri’s composed display was another highlight, as the 16-year-old showcased his immense potential in midfield. With this win, Arsenal keeps pace in the title race, while Leicester will rue their missed chances.
What’s Next?
Arsenal now shift focus to their next league fixture, while Leicester will look to bounce back in their battle for survival.
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