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:
Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
21 mins: Arsenal trying to be patient in their build-up as they look to break down the Leicester defence.
They move it to the left but Sterling mistimes his run and an offside call stunts the attack.
Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
17 mins: Amidst the protests, El Khannouss is a source of threat for Leicester and whips in a dangerous cross towards Jamie Vardy - just too high for the Englishman to properly take it in his stride and put his foot through it.
Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
14 mins: “We want Rudkin out, say we want Rudkin out.”
That’s the chant that’s ringing around the King Power as Leicester fans stage their planned protest against the club’s director of football.
Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
10 mins: CHANCE! Opportunities at both ends!
Imaginative stuff from Martin Odegaard to flick a lofted ball over the entire Leicester back line and into the path of Trossard, but the Belgian can’t get enough power on the finish to trouble Hermansen. Replays showed he’d just strayed offside anyway.
Then breaking up the other end, Leicester have their best chance of the afternoon so far as Wilfred Ndidi hits a volley well from 18 yards out. David Raya gets behind it to save.
Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
7 mins: Lovely work from Nwaneri to glide past Ndidi and find Sterling on the left.
He slips it to Lewis-Skelley on the overlap who overhits his cross.
The Hale End boys are at the centre of Arsenal’s attacking efforts so far.
Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
5 mins: As expected, it’s Leandro Trossard down the middle for Arsenal today.
He hasn’t seen much of the ball so far - but after an edgy start, the Gunners are beginning to hold possession.
Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
2 mins: Bright start from Leicester as Jordan Ayew breaks into the box.
He just about keeps the ball in play on the byline before chipping one into the middle, but no-one in blue can get on the end of it.
KICK-OFF! Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
1 min: KICK-OFF! We’re underway at the King Power.
Closing in on kick-off
All the action from the King Power Stadium, right here.
Arsenal face fierce test to kick off decisive period
Mikel Arteta is not taking the challenge of Leicester lying down as they hope to keep pace in the title race.
“Leicester are very difficult with the way they play against top teams,” he said. “They're a real threat.
"We are going to start getting into the period when big competitions are decided.”
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