Mikel Arteta Praises Injury-Hit Arsenal After Crucial Leicester Win
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight after his depleted squad secured a crucial 2-0 victory against Leicester City on Saturday, narrowing the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Mikel Merino the Match-Winner
Substitute Mikel Merino was the hero, stepping in as an emergency striker and scoring twice late in the game to secure all three points for the Gunners. Arsenal are now just four points behind Liverpool, who still have a game in hand and face Wolves on Sunday before traveling to Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Arteta’s Reaction to the Win
Speaking to TNT Sports, Arteta emphasized the importance of the victory.
“A massive win. We hadn’t played for 10 days after the break, and with all the injury concerns, today was about making a statement that we’re still in the fight and we really want this,” he said.
Reflecting on the match, Arteta noted the contrasting halves. “The first half lacked urgency and consistency, both with and without the ball. But in the second half, we picked up the intensity and got the job done.”
Why Merino Played as a Striker
When asked what he told Merino before sending him on, Arteta revealed:
“I told him he was going to score! He has a real goal threat. At that point, Leicester were sitting deeper, and we were dominating the final third. We believed he could make the difference, and he delivered brilliantly.”
Comparing Merino to Kai Havertz, who was ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury, Arteta dismissed direct similarities.
“Because of their height? They’re very different players! Merino has never played as a No. 9, but he has that instinct, that ability to sense danger and anticipate situations. He executed it perfectly.”
Merino’s Surprise Role
Arteta admitted that Merino wasn’t informed until the day of the game that he might be deployed up front.
“There was a lot of discussion. I didn’t want to overwhelm him, so I only told him this morning that he could end up playing as a striker, depending on how the game unfolded. It worked out, and he won the game for us.”
When asked if Merino would feature as a striker again, Arteta remained cautious.
“Let’s see. For now, we’ll enjoy this win, analyze it, and move forward.”
Ethan Nwaneri and Lewis Myles-Skelly Shine
Much of the post-match discussion focused on 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, who was outstanding, hitting the woodwork twice and assisting Merino’s opener. Fellow teenager Lewis Myles-Skelly also made a crucial last-ditch clearance to keep the game level.
“Unbelievable,” Arteta said of the young duo. “They were involved in two of the biggest moments of the match. Lewis prevented a certain goal, and Ethan was a constant threat. He hit the crossbar, the post, and delivered a fantastic cross for the goal.”
With Arsenal dealing with multiple injuries, Arteta emphasized the importance of allowing young players to step up.
“When you see their natural confidence and behavior on the pitch, sometimes you just have to let them go. Of course, we need to protect them at times, but if they’re ready to perform at this level, why hold them back just because they’re 17? They have great support both at home and within the club.”
Title Race Mindset
Asked how he feels about Arsenal’s position in the title race, Arteta was optimistic.
“I feel much better. It’s been a good week, but let’s see what happens next. We have to focus on what we can control. Every game is a battle, and you have to be at your best to win. It’s going to be a long journey.”
When questioned if this win was a statement in the title race, Arteta was clear:
“It shows that we really want this. No matter the challenges, we are going to fight until the end. We’ve been working towards this for seven or eight months, and we won’t stop now. Let’s see how far we can go.”
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