Mikel Merino sends message to Arsenal fans after Leicester, Bukayo Saka reacts
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino took to social media to send a message to the fans after scoring a brace in their 2-0 Premier League win over Leicester.
Merino, 28, came off the bench, after Raheem Sterling had another torrid Arsenal outing, in the 69th minute to score two late goals and earn a much-needed win for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Sterling has failed to recapture his old Man City form since joining the North London club on loan from Chelsea in the summer, scoring just one goal, and providing two assists in his 18 games across all competitions
TalkSPORT personality Simon Jordan has urged Sterling to “step up” for Arsenal amid an ongoing injury crisis at the club, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the rest of the season.
But it was Merino opened the scoring in the 81st minute with a powerful header past Mads Hermansen in the Leicester goal before securing the win just six minutes later.
Arsenal are now just four points off Premier League leaders Liverpool with 53 from their 25 games following their late 2-2 draw with Everton in the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday (February 12).
Mikel Merino comes to the rescue as Arsenal secure much-needed win over Leicester
Merino is starting to find his feet at Arsenal, starting 14 of his 27 games across all competitions, scoring four goals, and providing one assist in his 1337 minutes of action.
The midfielder, who came on as a striker, took to Instagram to send a message to the fans, saying: “‘Number 9’ day at work…”.
Injured star Bukayo Saka was among those to like the post.
Arsenal will host East Graham Potter’s West Ham in their next league game as they seek to gain further ground on Arne Slot’s impressive Liverpool side.
Arteta’s side have a tricky run of fixtures after the game with West Ham, facing Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, and Man United consecutively.