Arsenal player ratings vs Leicester: Mikel Merino steps up amid striker crisis as Ethan Nwaneri shines again | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta’s second half substitution proves to be a masterstroke

Arsenal closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points by beating Leicester.

Mikel Merino was Arsenal’s hero coming off the bench to play as an emergency striker and scoring twice in the final 10 minutes.

Arsenal, who are without four first-team forwards right now due to injury, had struggled to create before that - although Ethan Nwaneri did hit the woodwork twice.

The Gunners, however, got the win they needed as Merino struck twice in the final 10 minutes.

Simon Collings was at King Power Stadium to see Arsenal in action...

David Raya 6

A quiet afternoon for the goalkeeper as Arsenal dominated possession. Distribution was solid.

Jurrien Timber 7

Combined well with Nwaneri and got forward when he could. Put a great cross in, which Merino was inches away from.

William Saliba 6

Dealt well with Jamie Vardy and enjoyed a fairly comfortable afternoon’s work.

Gabriel 6

Had little to do in terms of defensive work. Unable to be his usual threat from set-pieces.

Myles Lewis-Skelly 7

Made a vital interception when Bobby De Cordova-Reid looked certain to score. Another steady performance from the teenager.

Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed again.

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Martin Odegaard 6

Created a few chances with some nice dinked pass over the top, but not as influential as Arsenal need him to be right now.

Thomas Partey 5

Sloppy on the ball and almost punished for it in the second half, but Lewis-Skelly got a vital touch to deny De Cordova-Reid.

Declan Rice 7

Given more licence to get forward and went close with a header early on. Tried to give Arsenal some drive from midfield.

Ethan Nwaneri 8

Arsenal’s best player. Skimmed the cross bar with one effort and smashed the post with another. Setup the winning goal with a great cross.

Leandro Trossard 7

Tasked with leading the line in the absence of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. Moved out wide when Merino came on and looked better, setting up the second goal.

Raheem Sterling 4

A poor performance from the winger, who just could not impact the game. Looks desperately short on confidence right now.

Substitutions

Mikel Merino (Sterling 69’) 8 | Star player

Arsenal’s hero. Thrown on upfront due to the club’s injury crisis in attack and scored twice off the bench.

Deadlock broken: Mikel Merino

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Jorginho (Partey 75’) N/A

Riccardo Calafiori (Lewis-Skelly 76’) N/A

Kieran Tierney (Trossard 89’) N/A

Subs not used: Neto, Kiwior, Zinchenko, White, Butler-Oyedeji