Leicester City v Arsenal | Premier League | Match Highlights

Midfielder Mikel Merino scored two late goals to keep Arsenal's Premier League title hopes alive with a 2-0 victory at Leicester City on Saturday, after the Spaniard was thrust into a makeshift centre-forward role by his club's injury crisis up front.

Arsenal move to 53 points from their 25 matches, four behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more, while Leicester remain in the relegation zone with 17 points from their 25 fixtures this season. The win ensures Arsenal remain in striking distance of the title race, capitalizing on any potential slip-ups from their rivals. Meanwhile, Leicester's woes continue as they struggle to climb out of the bottom three, facing the increasing pressure of a relegation battle that seems to tighten with each passing week.

Substitute Merino rose to head in teenager Ethan Nwaneri's cross from the right in the 81st minute, before tapping home unmarked at the back post when Leandro Trossard's inviting ball picked him out six minutes later. The Spaniard, primarily a midfielder, showcased his adaptability and composure under pressure, displaying an attacking instinct reminiscent of a seasoned striker. His movement off the ball, positioning, and aerial ability proved decisive in Arsenal securing the three points.

"[Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta] told me I would come on as a striker and to make sure I play to my strengths. It is the first time in my career that I play in that position," Merino told TNT. His words reflected both the tactical flexibility required in modern football and the immense trust Arteta places in his players to execute game-changing decisions. Merino's performance, despite the unfamiliar role, demonstrated the kind of squad depth that could be crucial for Arsenal in the title race.

"Today was a tough game, we knew coming to play this team battling relegation it would be. But games like today are really good for the squad," Merino continued. "He [Nwaneri] is an amazing player, he is such a talent. I have been talking to him the whole season about supplying those kinds of balls when I make late runs into the box." The teenager’s vision and execution in delivering the cross for Merino’s opener underlined his growing influence in the team and suggested a bright future ahead.

Arsenal are now unbeaten in 15 league games, winning 10 of those, their best run since they went 16 without a defeat in the 2010-11 campaign when Arsene Wenger was in charge. The current streak reflects the steady progress the club has made under Arteta, blending youthful exuberance with experienced leadership. The resilience to grind out results, particularly in challenging away fixtures, is a testament to the team's development and tactical maturity.

Leicester, on the other hand, have now gone 17 league games since they last kept a clean sheet. Their defensive frailties were once again exposed, an issue that has plagued them throughout the season. There were muted fan protests in the 14th minute of the game, and outside the stadium beforehand, that appeared to be aimed at director of football Jon Rudkin. The unrest among the supporters signifies growing discontent with the club’s management and their perceived inability to rectify the team’s decline.

Chances were few and far between in the first half, and two of the best fell to Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. His volley from the edge of the area was straight at Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, before he flashed a header just wide of the post as the half drew to a close. Leicester’s inability to convert these rare opportunities into goals proved costly, further highlighting their struggles in the attacking third.

Arsenal dominated possession at the start of the second half and began to have more touches in the Leicester box. The excellent Nwaneri saw his shot from the edge of the penalty area skim off the top of the crossbar, a moment that showcased both his confidence and technical ability. The visitors continued to pile on the pressure, with their intricate passing sequences and movement off the ball forcing Leicester deeper into their defensive shape.

With the scoreline still at 0-0, Leicester's Bobby De Cordova-Reid looked to have a tap-in at the back post from Jordan Ayew's low cross, but Myles Lewis-Skelly got a vital touch in the nick of time. Arsenal’s defensive organization and last-ditch defending played a crucial role in maintaining their clean sheet, with Raya also making key interventions to keep the Foxes at bay.

Arsenal's frustrating afternoon continued when Rice fed Nwaneri, who drove into the box and unleashed a powerful shot that cannoned back off the post. The young midfielder's ability to create space for himself and take on defenders was a positive sign for Arsenal, even as frustration mounted with each missed opportunity. The team’s persistence, however, paid off when Merino found the breakthrough in the final minutes.

But they finally found their winning goals from Merino, who may find himself in the striker role much more often by the end of the season with Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka all long-term injury absentees. Arteta’s ability to adapt to these injury setbacks and make bold tactical decisions will be crucial as the season enters its final stretch. Merino's success in an unfamiliar role opens up new possibilities for how Arsenal approach their attacking setup moving forward.

"I think we did well for 80 minutes to take a result today but you cannot lose concentration against those teams. It is easy for Merino to head it in. We have to do better in those situations," Leicester's Bilal El Khannouss said. His comments reflected the defensive lapses that have continually cost Leicester valuable points this season. Their inability to see out games, particularly in the closing stages, remains a major concern for their survival hopes.

"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," he added. The emotional toll of repeated setbacks in a relegation battle was evident in his words, as Leicester’s struggles continue despite their players' best efforts.

For Arsenal, the win provided much-needed momentum heading into a crucial period of the season. With key players sidelined, performances like Merino’s, coupled with the emergence of young talents such as Nwaneri, highlight the team’s adaptability and depth. If they can maintain this form and capitalize on slip-ups from Liverpool and Manchester City, their long-awaited Premier League triumph could become a reality.

Leicester, on the other hand, must quickly regroup and find solutions to their defensive vulnerabilities if they are to avoid the drop. Their failure to secure points from winnable games has left them in a precarious position, and with time running out, they must rediscover both resilience and clinical finishing to escape the relegation zone. The pressure on manager Enzo Maresca and the club’s hierarchy will only intensify as they fight to stay in England’s top flight.

Ultimately, the match was a tale of two teams on opposite trajectories—Arsenal pushing for the title, their confidence growing with every victory, and Leicester staring down the threat of relegation, searching for answers to their persistent woes. The result could prove pivotal in shaping the fate of both clubs as the season reaches its climax.