Troy Deeney admits he had to break his ‘own rule’ to praise one Arsenal player after Leicester win

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal pulled off a late win against Leicester City to shorten the gap between themselves and Premier League leaders Liverpool.

It was a must-win game for the Gunners but, for the most part, fans were fearful of the prospect of dropping points.

For all of Arsenal’s efforts, Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to make their domination count, which was somewhat expected amid an attacking injury crisis. 

Fortunately, some stepped up to ensure three points went back to North London, seeing Ethan Nwaneri star in a man-of-the-match display but, he wasn’t the only headline-maker. 

• READ MORE: Three Winners and two losers from Arsenal’s clash with Leicester City

Troy Deeney applauds Mikel Merino’s performance against Leicester City

Nwaneri was compared to Messi for the way he dictated the game in Arsenal’s front line, showing some of his senior teammates up at the King Power. 

The 17-year-old’s stroke of genius counted for something late on, as after hitting the crossbar twice, the Hale End graduate put the ball on a plate for Arteta’s saviour, Mikel Merino.

Merino made Arsenal history by scoring twice off the bench, arriving as the Gunners’ makeshift striker to score a brace and ensure the points returned to N5.

As expected, Merino’s cameo earned the headlines, which saw him get named in Troy Deeney’s Premier League Team of the Week on BBC Sport. 

Writing in his column, Deeney also named Gabriel Magalhaes in his XI but, admitted he had to break a rule to include Merino.

“Merino shouldn’t really get in my team of the week, but to come on and have the impact he had on that game at Leicester was absolutely massive. So I’m kind of breaking my own rule and giving a sub a place in my team.”

Deeney steers away from naming a substitute in his best lineup of the week, emphasising just how good Merino’s impact was when he was summoned by Arteta in the 69th minute.

Career first for Merino playing as a striker

Arteta was delighted with Merino’s contribution, which the player admitted was quite a surprise for him.

Speaking after the game, the Spaniard admitted that he was taken aback by Arteta posing the question of him playing as a striker but, it appears that the manager knew more than the player himself did.

For the first time in his career, Merino led the line, which as the numbers show was a great success, scoring twice on his first appearance to give Arsenal the win. 

Whether the Euro 2024 winner can replicate his rich scoring feat is another question but, the Gunners will certainly hope so amid their injury crisis.