Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal: Sub Mikel Merino hits late double as Gunners close gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool

Mikel Merino came off the bench to hit a late match-winning double as Arsenal closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points with a 2-0 win at relegation-haunted Leicester.

Mikel Arteta's men struggled to find the creative spark to unlock a stubborn home side in the rain until Merino replaced an ineffectual Raheem Sterling on 69 minutes before turning a dour match on its head.

The Spain international powered home a brilliant header from Ethan Nwaneri's cross on 81 minutes before timing his run to perfection to complete the win by sweeping home Leandro Trossard's cross six minutes later.

With Arsenal plagued by injury problems before this match with Kai Havertz out for the rest of the season due to a serious hamstring injury, and Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all missing, the visitors dug deep to reduce Liverpool's lead before Arne Slot's side host Wolves at Anfield on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Ruud van Nistelrooy's Leicester have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their past 21 matches in all competitions and remain 18th in the table, two points away from Wolves and safety in their bid to avoid the drop.

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"He's an amazing player," said Merino on TNT Sports after hitting a late double to sink Leicester at the King Power.

"Every time I do an interview you guys ask me about him, but it's natural because he's such a talent.

"Luckily today he crossed the ball, I've been talking to him the whole season that I needed those balls when I'm arriving in the box, and he has such a wonderful left foot that he put it right on my head, so I could only score.

"[Manager Mikel Arteta} told me to come in as a striker this morning.

"We were talking about it a little bit with one of the assistants. It is the first time in my career that I've played that position.

"He told me to go with my strengths, and luckily I could help the team with two goals."

He added: "Today was a tough game. We knew coming here to this amazing stadium with this tough team battling relegation, it was going to be tough.

"But these games are the ones that lift the spirit, and with these amazing fans behind us everything is easier. Thank you to them, thank you to everyone at home rooting for this.

"This is an amazing team and games like today are really good for the squad."

Nine defeats in 10 matches in the Premier League now for Leicester, who fought bravely for large swathes of this match until Merino had the final say with two goals in the last nine minutes of the 90. Arsenal close to within four points of leaders Liverpool.

Kieran Tierney has replaced Trossard for the Gunners with Jorginho picking up a booking for a late challenge on Patson Daka seconds before Merino struck for a second time.

Game, set and match for the Gunners as Merino comes up with another fine finish from close range to seal the deal from the Leandro Trossard cross.

Two more on the way as Facundo Buonanotte takes over from Bobby Decordova-Reid, and Wilfrid Ndidi is off for Patson Daka.

Could have been nine points behind Liverpool at the end of the weekend, but a win will see them close to within four points of the leaders before Arne Slot's side host Wolves on Sunday afternoon.

And is that the winning goal. Nwaneri with a superb cross to the back post. Held up like a dream and Merino rises to plant a brilliant header into the corner of the net. Cue wild celebrations.

Ethan Nwaneri doesn't turn 18 until next month, but already looks like a fixture for Arsenal as he sees a shot come back off the post this time with Mads Hermansen scrambling. He might have got a vital touch on that effort.

Jordan Ayew departs to be replaced by Stephy Mavididi with Arsenal opting to make a double change too. Jorginho replaces Thomas Partey as Myles Lewis-Skelly is off and Riccardo Calafiori is on.

Myles Lewis-Skelly with a vital clearance to smuggle the ball behind after a great run and cross from Jordan Ayew. Bobby Decordova-Reid was waiting to tap that into the visiting net.

Nwaneri trying to twist and turn, but looks to be caught in two minds and ends up running the ball out of the pitch. Timber then with a ball to the back stick looking for Merino, but just eludes the substitute.

Sterling has run his race for the day as he departs to be replaced by Mikel Merino. Can Arsenal find the breakthrough? One goal might win this you suspect. That sort of day.

Bobby Decordova-Reid got plenty of venom on that shot at goal, but straight down the throat of Raya who clutches at second attempt. Fine effort all the same.