Leicester v Arsenal LIVE: Mikel Merino scores superb double to guide Gunners to vital win
Injury-hit Arsenal close the gap on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League thanks to a late Mikel Merino double
An inspired substitution proved the difference for Arsenal as Mikel Merino’s late double sealed a vital three points at Leicester City, closing the gap at the top of the table.
Following an uneventful first-half, things didn’t look like they were going to go the way of the injury-stricken Gunners, as Ethan Nwaneri rattled the woodwork twice after the break.
However, Mikel Arteta’s decision to operate natural midfielder Merino as a makeshift number nine proved game-changing, with the Spaniard netting a brilliant brace to guide Arsenal to victory at the King Power Stadium.
The win moves Arsenal to within four points of league leaders Liverpool after Everton denied the Reds victory with a late equaliser in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday.
Relive all the action from the King Power Stadium below:
Martin Keown apologises to Ruud van Nistelrooy for ‘shenanigans’ as old rivals bury hatchet
Martin Keown and Ruud van Nistelrooy have buried the hatchet more than two decades after their notorious clash at Old Trafford.
The pair shook hands at the touchline at the King Power Stadium on Saturday ahead of Leicester’s Premier League match against Arsenal, and TNT Sports pundit Keown apologised to Foxes manager Van Nistelrooy for the “shenanigans” of 2003.
Keown and Van Nistelrooy came to blows during a memorable encounter between the Gunners and Manchester United 22 years ago dubbed “Battle of Old Trafford”.
Martin Keown apologises to Ruud van Nistelrooy as old rivals bury hatchet
Van Nistelrooy provides Justin injury update
Ruud van Nistelrooy has provided an update on James Justin, who was forced to come off in the first half through injury.
"It was an unfortunate moment to take him off before half-time,” he said. “He couldn't continue so it's definitely something.
“We have to assess and he couldn't carry on. Hopefully it's nothing bad.
"It's ups and downs. When you are a promoted team and fighting for the bottom places, you have to deal with losing games but it's a matter of keeping working. I believe the results will come one day."
"It's hard to take" - Leicester's El Khannouss gives post-match thoughts
"I think we did well for 80 minutes to take a result today but you cannot lose concentration against those teams,” Bilal El Khannouss told Sky Sports. “It is easy for Merino to head it in. We have to do better in those situations.
"We were fighting all together as a team. We know we have to fight for each ball and it's what we did for 80 minutes. It's hard to take.
"When you defend like that, you always know something will fall at the other side. We had some opportunities but we didn't take them. It's a hard fight but we played a lot of good games already that we didn't take results in."
Merino heaps praise on starboy Nwaneri
Mikel Merino might have been Arsenal’s saviour today with his late brace, but there nevertheless remains a strong case that youngster Ethan Nwaneri was today’s man of the match.
Rattling the woodwork twice, Nwaneri was Arsenal’s main source of attacking impetus throughout the contest - something the Gunners were severely lacking before Merino’s introduction.
"He is an amazing player,” Merino said on Nwaneri, who set up his first goal. “Every time I do an interview you guys ask me about him.
"We have to keep the foot on the gas and if we keep doing this job then good things will come in the future."
Merino reveals all about new role
Mikel Merino has revealed that today was the first time he has ever been operated as a striker in his career - a role he has seemingly taken to with ease.
"He [Mikel Arteta] told me to come in as a striker this morning,” he told TNT Sports post-match. “We were talking about it a little bit with one of the assistants. It is the first time in my career that I've played that position.
"He told me to go with my strengths and luckily I could help the team with two goals today."
However, the Spaniard does not expect Arteta to start him regularly up top, despite his game-changing display.
"I don't think so to be honest,” he added. “It is the first time I have scored a brace coming off the bench as a striker.
"I forgot to give my wife something for Valentine's Day so this goes to her. I think she will appreciate this more than a rose and some chocolate.
"Today was a tough game. But I think these games are the ones you need the spirit. Games like today are really good for the squad."
Still to come: Man City vs Newcastle
We’ve still got a lot of Premier League action to sink our teeth into this afternoon - and over at the Etihad Stadium, 3pm kick-offs don’t get much better than this.
Kick-off is imminent as Manchester City host Newcastle United, with each side looking to pull away from the other as they chase Champions League football.
City go into the game one place higher than the Magpies in the table, though both sides are level on points and goal difference, with City ahead on goals scored. Three points at the Etihad would give either club an advantage in the race for Europe, with Pep Guardiola’s side looking for an immediate response to a disappointing 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League play-offs.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies are in buoyant mood after reaching the Carabao Cup final earlier this month, and they’ll be looking to leapfrog City with both sides dealing with injuries to vital players.
Follow all the action from Man City v Newcastle below.
Manchester City v Newcastle LIVE: Team news and line-ups in Premier League
Mikel Merino scores superb double to guide Gunners to vital victory
FULL-TIME! Leicester 0-2 Arsenal
An inspired substitution proved the difference for Mikel Arteta as Arsenal seal a vital three points at Leicester.
After an uneventful first-half, things didn’t look like they were going to go for the injury-stricken Gunners, as Ethan Nwaneri rattled the woodwork twice after the break.
However, a late double from midfielder turned number nine Mikel Merino guided Arsenal to victory at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester 0-2 Arsenal
90+4 mins: David Raya makes a good catch to collect a Leicester corner and dispel any threat to his clean sheet. That should be it.
Leicester 0-2 Arsenal
90+1 mins: Mikel Merino is looking for a hat-trick and fires an effort from outside the box, but it’s straight into the grasp of Hermansen.
The away end is in full voice as the King Power turns into a sea of blue seats.
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