Arsenal 2 – 0 Leicester City
Arsenal closed the gap at the top of the table with a crucial win over Leicester City, thanks to a brace from midfielder Mikel Merino. Despite struggling with an injury-hit attack, Mikel Arteta’s side found a way to secure all three points.
Playing away on Saturday, Arsenal claimed a 2-0 victory in their Premier League clash.
With 15 wins and eight draws from 25 matches, Arsenal sits second in the table with 53 points. League leaders Liverpool, having played one game less, are four points ahead.
Arsenal’s Revenge After a Tough First Encounter
In their first meeting this season, back in September, Arsenal took a two-goal lead at home but nearly stumbled. However, two late goals in stoppage time helped them secure a 4-2 victory.
This time, Arsenal faced Leicester with a depleted frontline but dominated possession from the start. Despite their control, neither side created significant threats in the first half.
Arsenal managed just one shot on target from four attempts in the opening 45 minutes, and it barely troubled Leicester’s goalkeeper. Their first real chance of the second half came in the 61st minute when Ethan Nwaneri struck a powerful shot from the edge of the box, only for it to clip the crossbar and go out.
Fifteen minutes later, luck continued to elude Arsenal. Once again, 17-year-old Nwaneri’s effort was denied by the post.
Merino Steps Up to Deliver the Win
Arsenal finally broke the deadlock in the 81st minute. A precise cross from Nwaneri found Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino, who leaped highest in the box to head the ball home.
Six minutes later, Arsenal sealed the victory. Leandro Trossard delivered a low cross to the far post, where Merino calmly slotted in his second goal of the match, securing the three points.
Leicester’s struggles continue, as they have now suffered 16 defeats this season. With just four wins and five draws in 25 matches, they remain in 18th place with only 17 points.
