Merino's Two Goals Propel Arsenal to 2-0 Victory Over Leicester

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scored two late goals to lead his team to a 2-0 victory over Leicester City, a performance he humorously dedicated to his wife as a belated Valentine's Day gift after forgetting to buy her a present. Stepping in as an emergency striker due to a slew of injuries within the squad, Merino's goals came in the 81st and 87th minutes, crucially keeping Arsenal's title hopes alive by closing the gap to four points behind leaders Liverpool. Manager Mikel Arteta's decision to deploy Merino as a forward was a necessity, given the absence of key players like Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. Merino expressed his surprise at playing in a striker role for the first time but felt he contributed effectively, noting the team's need for spirit in challenging matches. Despite his success, Merino does not anticipate taking on the striker position regularly. His performance was celebrated by fans, further solidifying his connection with the Arsenal supporters.