EPL: Makeshift striker Merino nets 2 goals as Arsenal sink Leicester

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino came off the bench as a striker to clinch a 2-0 win against Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.

Arsenal were in danger of wasting a chance to put pressure on Liverpool in the title race as they laboured to make the breakthrough at the King Power Stadium.

But, with his attacking options limited by a host of injuries, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sent on Spain midfielder Merino to act as a makeshift striker in the closing stages.

It proved an inspired move as Merino netted twice in the last nine minutes to extend Arsenal’s unbeaten run in the league to 15 games.

Having lost 2-0 at Newcastle in the Carabo Cup semi-final second leg before an extended break due to their early FA Cup exit, the Gunners returned to action with a vital victory that keeps them hot on the heels of Liverpool.

Liverpool, who stumbled with a draw at Everton in their game in hand on Wednesday, can increase their lead back to seven points if they beat lowly Wolves at Anfield on Sunday.

Arsenal’s Havertz out of season with hamstring injury

With Kai Havertz ruled out for the season after suffering a hamstring injury while blocking a shot during Arsenal’s recent training trip to Dubai, Arteta was left with a threadbare attack.

Havertz’s injury blow came just weeks after Arsenal failed to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins during the January transfer window.

Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli were already sidelined, so Arteta was forced to use Belgian winger Leandro Trossard as his central striker.

Underling the paucity of Arteta’s forward options, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and the out of form Raheem Sterling filled in on the flanks either side of Trossard.

Nwaneri was a constant menace, unloading a stinging strike that Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen tipped onto the post.

Leicester couldn’t stem the tide as Arteta’s gamble paid off in the 81st minute.

Nwaneri swung a pin-point cross into the Leicester area and Merino found space to thump his header past Hermansen from six yards.

Merino celebrated by dancing a jig around the corner flag, but he wasn’t finished yet.

Seven minutes later, Trossard whipped a cross into the six-yard box and Merino’s well-timed run eluded the Leicester defence as he slotted home to keep Arsenal firmly in the title chase.

The Star