PL: Merino proves to be Arsenal’s unlikely hero in 2-0 win over Leicester City
Arsenal to a 2-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday
- LEICESTER — Mikel
Merino threw his name into contention for the available striker spot as the
Spaniard came on as a late substitute and scored two goals to lead Arsenal to a
2-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
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- With Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli all
out of contention with respective injuries, the Gunners started the game with
Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri as their front three.
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- It resulted in a toothless display with Arsenal failing to
create chances and opportunities in the Leicester box. Sterling in particular
was quite poor showing displays of rust.
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- The Chelsea forward, who is on loan at Arsenal, did not
complete a single dribble in the game and was caught offside three times. The
only bright spark in the Arsenal front line was Ethan Nwaneri, who turns
18-years-old next month, as he rattled the woodwork on two separate occasions.
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- The action remained bland in the first 45 minutes as neither
side pushed aggressively. The best chance of the first half fell to Leicester
in stoppage time. Ndidi had a free header, but thankfully the sprawling Raya
saw it drop wide of the goal.
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- On the hour mark Nwaneri latched onto an Odegaard
through-ball, worked it onto his left foot but curled it just over the goal,
while grazing the crossbar.
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- With Nwaneri impressing in the forward ares, his academy
partner Miles Lewis-Skelly saved Arsenal from conceding the opening goal when a
low cross by Jordan Ayew was in a dangerous position with Bobby Decordova Reid
lurking at the back post but the 18-year-old fullback managed to poke the ball
behind for a corner.
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- Things turned around dramatically with the addition of
Merino, in place of Sterling, at the 70th minute mark. Trossard was allowed to
get into the left with the Spanish midfielder slotting into the false nine
position.
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- Merino’s introduction turned on a switch as the goals
followed instantly. A swinging cross by Nwaneri from the right saw Merino plant
his header firmly into the net.
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- Less than ten minutes later, he showed it was no fluke. This
time it was an unerring connection with his left boot, from Trossard’s low
cross.
