Arsenal overcame a depleted attack to secure a crucial 2-0 victory against Leicester on Saturday, with substitute Mikel Merino scoring twice in the final nine minutes to keep their Premier League title hopes alive.
Struggling to break down a stubborn Leicester side at the King Power Stadium, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made an inspired late substitution, introducing Spanish midfielder Merino as an emergency striker.
The move paid off as Merino first powered home a header from Ethan Nwaneri’s cross before sealing the win with a well-timed finish from Leandro Trossard’s delivery.
The victory extends Arsenal’s unbeaten league run to 15 matches and moves them within four points of leaders Liverpool.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s side have the chance to restore their seven-point cushion when they face Wolves on Sunday.
With key forwards Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz all sidelined, Arteta had to improvise, deploying Trossard centrally, flanked by 17-year-old Nwaneri and the struggling Raheem Sterling.
Arsenal’s injury-hit attack struggled to find rhythm in the first half, though Nwaneri impressed with a lively performance, forcing Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen into a crucial save.
Leicester, battling relegation, saw their frustrations boil over with vocal protests against the club’s ownership early in the game.
But despite their spirited resistance, they were undone late on as Arsenal’s persistence eventually broke through.
The result keeps the Gunners firmly in the title race, with Merino’s heroics providing a vital boost ahead of the season’s decisive run-in.
