Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal Player Ratings: Super Sub Mikel Merino’s Brace saves the day for the Gunners

In the second Matchweek 25 fixture of the English Premier League, bottom-placed Leicester City suffers a 2-0 late home upset against Arsenal at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. The Gunners have climbed up to the second spot 4 points behind league leaders Liverpool after securing crucial three points in an away clash. On the other hand, another defeat for the hosts means they have dropped down to 17th position in the relegation zone.

Mikel Arteta led visitors started confidently keeping and rotating the ball across the pitch setting up the early tempo of the match and the Foxes were left chasing the ball during the first half. The hosts kept a low defensive block shape to prevent the Gunners from creating direct chances from the centre. Unfortunately, several lapses in concentration in the final minutes allowed the away side to score twice.

Arsenal full-backs and wingers tried their best to make use of the flanks but no help in exposing Leicester’s compact defensive structure. It took them the final 20 minutes and an inspirational substitute appearance to open the scoreline thanks to their unexpected hero Mikel Merino who nailed his cameo as the makeshift false number.

Arsenal’s starting XI consists of a mix of experienced, starters, newcomers and squad players, in a 4-3-3 formation. Meanwhile, Leicester Boss Ruud van Nistelrooy made two changes in the lineup left back returns, and Wilfried Ndidi returned to the first eleven. 

At the half-time break, the scoreline remained low both sides went back into the tunnel unable to break the deadlock and recording a single shot on target each. The game looked even until the closing moments of the second 45 minutes changed the landscape with quick goals from Arsenal.

The home crowd roared chants at the top of their lungs across the King Power stadium echoed with chants of “Go Leicester City!!!” backing the Foxes in their commendable outing against table-topper oppositions. Here are Leicester City vs Arsenal player ratings.

Leicester City Player Ratings

GK – Mads Hermansen – 6

The Denmark International was forced into making a couple of key saves, but Arsenal wave attacks proved too much to handle for the 24-year-old who leaked two goals.

RB – James Justin – 6

Justin struggled after picking up an injury that forced him to wind up his operations on the Right side of the defence early and left the pitch Limping off injured. 

CB – Wout Faes – 6

The Belgian defender made some important clearances and blocks and helped organise his backline against the sequence of attacks from the opposition.

CB – Memeh Caleb Okoli – 5

A subpar outing for the fellow centre-back of Leicester City, as he could not prevent Arsenal from netting two goals as both arrived from the centre of the box.

LB – Victor Kristiansen – 6

The 22-year-old full-back was given a start with the left-back responsibilities, he created a single chance and delivered a few crosses into the box but most ineffective.

CDM – Wilfred Ndidi – 6.5

The season midfielder returned to the first eleven and nearly scored in the first with his leaping header connected with a perfect cross from the left. He played as the defensive midfielder in the double pivot.

CDM – Boubakary Soumaré – 7

The Frenchman was deployed in a double pivot alongside Ndidi to provide stability in the middle of the park. Soumare completed an impressive four dribbles and delivered five passes into the final third.

RM – Jordon Ayew – 6.5

Ghanian International lost out on the most duels (8) in the game but altogether had a fair outing helping out in defence and picked up a yellow card for his challenge.

AM – Bilal El Khannouss – 6

Got booked for a challenge on Partey right after the interval break, the Moroccan midfielder created two solid chances and played five passes into the attacking third.

LM – Bobby Ried – 5

No significant contribution by Bobby Ried started on the right side, apart from that single on-target that he lashed onto from the outside of the box.

ST – Jamie Vardy – 6

Vardy has past his prime, but his ability to make late runs and eye for goal was greatly missed by the Foxes. The Englishman won the most fouls at the same time documented the least amount of touches amongst the outfield players.

Sub – Woyo Coulibaly – 7

The winter newly arrived full-back from Seria A club Parma was called up to replace Justin in the 43rd minute. 

Sub – Stephy Mavididi – 6

The Leicester City number 10 was called into action replacing Ayew to provide fresh legs to the Foxes’ attack. 

Sub – Facundo Buonanotte – N/A

Sub – Patson Daka – N/A

Manager – Ruud Van Nistelrooy – 7

His side stepped up with well working plan to go full-on defensive mode but lacked creativity and the ability to create meaningful chances. The Dutch tactician needs to react well and motivate his players following the upset in the midst of relegation fears.

Arsenal Player Ratings

GK – David Raya – 7.5

The Spanish shot-stopper’s two brilliant saves ensure Arsenal walked away with three points and a clean sheet from this challenging league outing.

RB – Justin Timber – 7

Timber was commendable playing as Right back, taking up the role of Ben white. He defended well when moments arrived and glided forward with the ball to create opportunities.

CB – William Saliba – 7.5

Another solid outing under the belt of rocked solid France defender, his pairing alongside Gabriel provided defensive solidity to the Gunner’s tested backline.

CB – Gabriel – 7.5

The Brazilian defender remained a significant threat from set-pieces with his ability to win the balls in the air and brilliantly defended the goal to deny the host’s goal.

LB – Myles Lewis-Skelly  – 7

The teenager was his 8th Premier League start on the back of a promising campaign under Arterta and lived up to expectations with his brilliant efforts. 

CM – Martin Odeegard – 6.5

The creative mind of the gunners, Martin Odeegard with his sharp vision did manage to produce some close chances from half-spaces. However, his passes lacked a touch of perfection. 

CM – Thomas Party – 7.5

The Ghanian midfielder was a key player in the centre of the midfield, his importance has grown enormously in Mikel Arterta’s midfield unit as Party aims to secure a fresh offer from Arsenal before the summer.

CM – Declan Rice – 7

The England midfielder Declan Rice had a good game, after being given the freedom to drive forward, he was involved in build-up passes and showed his qualities in attack and defence.

RW – Ethan Nwaneri – 9.5

The 17-year-old showed his ability to get behind the defence line from the right flank and even dropped deep when needed. Nwaneri was undoubtedly the best player for the Gunners in attack assisting Merino for the opener while completing the most dribbles and tackles. The wonderkid was a worthy man of the match pick due to his performence.

ST – Leandro Trossard – 7

The Belgian was assigned a central role in the front three, in the absence of Kai Havaretz. He made a few decent runs but hard lack caught offsides twice. Nevertheless, he created a second chance for Mikel to score with an accurate cross.

LW – Raheem Sterling – 5.5

Sterling was not sharp enough with his dribbles down the left side getting dispossessed and lacked coordination and decision-making effectiveness.

Sub – Mikel Merino – 9

The Spaniard was brought on in place of Sterling and took up the false number nine role. Merino came to the rescue with his side with a towering header to open the scoring and then headed home the second goal to seal the win.

Sub – Jorginho – 5.5

The Italian midfielder came in midfield with Partey going off in the 76th minute on the clock.

Sub – Riccardo Calafiori – 6

The Italian came off the bench with the last 15 minutes of play remaining.

Sub – Kieran Tierney – N/A

Manager – Mikel Arteta – 8

Arsenal looked without a proper plan to break the defence of Lecister, but his halftime team talk fueled the fire to clinch a jaw-dropping victory. Arterta’s bold move to deploy Merino upfront paved the way for their victory.

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