Mikel Merino led Arsenal to a 2-0 victory against Leicester, ignoring their injury problems to cut the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool. As they struggled to find the breakthrough at the King Power Stadium, Mikel Arteta's team ran the risk of losing an opportunity to put pressure on Liverpool in the championship chase. Due to a number of injuries that limited his offensive options, Arteta substituted Spain midfielder Merino as a makeshift striker.

Merino scored twice in the final nine minutes to increase Arsenal's league-winning streak to 15 games, proving that the transfer was brilliant. Merino's shrewd run slipped by Leicester's defense as he tucked home seven minutes after Leandro Trossard sent a cross into the six-yard box, bringing second-place Arsenal within four points of Liverpool. In another match, Omar Marmoush's hat-trick propelled Manchester City's 4-0 thumping of top-four opponents Newcastle.