Mikel Merino scores twice to keep Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes alive

Makeshift centre-forward helps secure victory over Leicester City amid injury crisis at club

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, February 15, 2025. AFP

Leicester City defender Wout Faes vies for the ball with Arsenal's Mikel Merino. AFP

Mikel Merino celebrates with Jorginho after the win over Leicester City. AFP

Arsenal's Mikel Merino celebrates after scoring on Saturday. AP

Declan Rice celebrates his team's second goal. Getty Images

Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta applauds supporters. AP

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.

The Spaniard was thrust into a makeshift centre-forward role following his club’s injury crisis up front and was incredible.

With Arsenal’s makeshift front three of Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri struggling to create chances, Merino — a central midfielder — came on in the 69th minute to play as a striker and quickly got on the end of two good crosses to decide the game.

The Spain international headed home a pinpoint ball into the box from 17-year-old Nwaneri in the 81st and then steered in a low cross from Trossard in the 87th.

Merino said manager Mikel Arteta only told him on the day that his job was to play up front.

"(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.

"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 said his goals have helped him save some face at home.

"I forgot to get my wife something for Valentine's Day, so this (brace) goes to her ... I think she will appreciate this more than a rose or some chocolates," he added.

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.

It was Arsenal’s first game since leading scorer Kai Havertz sustained a season-ending hamstring tear in training in Dubai, joining striker Gabriel Jesus and winger Bukayo Saka on the long-term injury list.

Arteta had said long-term injuries were "an accident waiting to happen" due to the workload players face.

Germany forward Havertz was ruled out for the rest of the season after it was confirmed on Thursday he would need surgery to repair the hamstring injury he suffered during Arsenal's training camp in Dubai last week.

Havertz's injury, sustained when he stretched to block a shot, means the Gunners are now without a recognised striker after Jesus ruptured his ACL last month, and leaves Arteta with a host of senior players in the treatment room.

As well as Havertz and Jesus, Arsenal were also missing Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Takehiro Tomiyasu for the trip to Leicester. The Gunners had also been without Ben White since November due to a knee problem.

Meanwhile, Ruud van Nistelrooy's men remain in the relegation zone after a game that saw protests against the club's football leadership, with director of football Jon Rudkin the focus of fans' ire.

'Sack the board' sung fans walking to the ground, where a banner questioning an internal review was unfurled was joined by further calls for Rudkin's exit.

Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha acknowledged fans' frustrations in his programme notes but called on them to back the side.

In truth, the atmosphere was flat beyond Arsenal's impressive away support, who saw their side dominate first half possession without seriously threatening the hosts.