Leicester v Arsenal LIVE: Mikel Merino scores superb double to guide Gunners to vital win | OneFootball

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Arteta on title hopes and challenge of Leicester

An inspired substitution proved the difference for Arsenal as Mikel Merino’s late double sealed a vital three points at Leicester City, closing the gap at the top of the table.

Following an uneventful first-half, things didn’t look like they were going to go the way of the injury-stricken Gunners, as Ethan Nwaneri rattled the woodwork twice after the break.

However, Mikel Arteta’s decision to operate natural midfielder Merino as a makeshift number nine proved game-changing, with the Spaniard netting a brilliant brace to guide Arsenal to victory at the King Power Stadium.

The win moves Arsenal to within four points of league leaders Liverpool after Everton denied the Reds victory with a late equaliser in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday.

Martin Keown apologises to Ruud van Nistelrooy for ‘shenanigans’ as old rivals bury hatchet

Martin Keown and Ruud van Nistelrooy have buried the hatchet more than two decades after their notorious clash at Old Trafford.

The pair shook hands at the touchline at the King Power Stadium on Saturday ahead of Leicester’s Premier League match against Arsenal, and TNT Sports pundit Keown apologised to Foxes manager Van Nistelrooy for the “shenanigans” of 2003.

Keown and Van Nistelrooy came to blows during a memorable encounter between the Gunners and Manchester United 22 years ago dubbed “Battle of Old Trafford”.

Will Castle15 February 2025 17:00

"It's hard to take" - Leicester's El Khannouss gives post-match thoughts

"I think we did well for 80 minutes to take a result today but you cannot lose concentration against those teams,” Bilal El Khannouss told Sky Sports. “It is easy for Merino to head it in. We have to do better in those situations.

"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.

"When you defend like that, you always know something will fall at the other side. We had some opportunities but we didn't take them. It's a hard fight but we played a lot of good games already that we didn't take results in."

(Getty Images)

Will Castle15 February 2025 16:00