KING POWER STADIUM — Who’d have thunk it. Not even Mikel Merino, really, but he danced to the tune of his own name at full-time all the same.
Inside Newcastle's fight to keep Isak out of Arsenal and Barcelona's clutches
Read MoreHe started this match on the bench, as a sidenote, not entirely their most unbelievable saviour but in reality one of their more attacking options should Mikel Arteta require it.
The spotlight was shining fiercely on Arsenal’s attack in light of Kai Havertz’s season-ending injury.
And in a first half of few chances, it was Declan Rice who will feel he should have done better when rising to meet Ethan Nwaneri’s cross but heading well wide.
The ‘next Vincent Kompany’ catching the eye of Leeds, West Ham and Wolves
Read MoreArsenal were on top, but as the first half progressed space was closing up, with Odegaard – not for the first time – trying a looped ball over the top in a bid to tee up Trossard, who this time failed to connect with the ball properly.
Something had to change, given Trossard’s weak attempt after nine minutes – when he was offside anyway – was their only attempt on target all half.
Raheem Sterling was taken off before Arsenal went ahead (Photo: AFP)
Another looped ball over the top showed Arsenal were in danger of becoming one-trick ponies, while a minute later Rice was once more the furthest forward when played through by Odegaard, but his square pass to Raheem Sterling – notice how his name wasn’t mentioned till now – was undercooked and an opportunity went begging.
Why Arsenal fans need to know about the horrors in DR Congo
Read MoreArsenal were desperately in need of a spark, and after Nwaneri’s curled shot clipped the top of the bar, Odegaard gestured towards the corner where Arsenal’s away fans were standing.
Odegaard was doing all he could. Orchestrating play, imploring Myles Lewis-Skelly to quickly get over a misplaced pass, rushing over to take a throw-in. He was leading by example, all while Sterling was looking a major shadow of his Manchester City self, a player devoid of confidence not willing to take the ball on and seemingly forgetting how to cross it, too.
Trossard was moved out wide, Merino was at No 9, Gabriel was staying forward, and the reliance on Odegaard grew, all before Leicester nearly went ahead, only for Lewis-Skelly to make a vital interception at the back post to deny Bobby De Cordova-Reid a simple tap-in.
What the ‘void’ sponsorship ruling means for Newcastle, Aston Villa and Forest
Read MoreThen came the breakthrough with 10 minutes to go, Rice intercepting in Leicester’s own area before Nwaneri’s cross found Merino, the unlikely hero of the hour who headed it beyond the grasp of Mads Hermansen.
It got even better for Merino, too, with Arsenal’s No 23 turned No 9 latching onto Trossard’s cross to score his second.
It was proving a puzzle Arsenal couldn’t solve, but Merino was the piece that saved them and ensured leaders Liverpool host Wolves on Sunday with just that little bit more pressure.
With Odegaard behind him, the deserved man-of-the-match Nwaneri on one side and Trossard the other, could Merino now lead Arsenal’s temporary attack? We’ll find out against West Ham next week, and if Sterling still starts, this is surely the biggest surprise.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Arsenal’s unlikely hero surely spells the end for Raheem Sterling )
Also on site :