Arsenal’s victory against Leicester City yesterday was a vital one in terms of their slim hopes of claiming the Premier League title by the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Mikel Merino was the unlikely hero off the substitutes bench, scoring a double after replacing Raheem Sterling who had an afternoon to forget in the East Midlands.
The result puts the Gunners just four points behind Liverpool ahead of their clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers this afternoon – extending their unbeaten run to 15 league matches in the process.
The result was made all the more impressive given the injury crisis currently facing Arteta after Kai Havertz was the latest player to face a spell on the sidelines.
Such a situation needs to see the Spaniard’s senior options in the squad step up to the plate, but one of his regular starters was unable to have a huge positive impact on the result yesterday.
Martin Odegaard’s stats for Arsenal against Leicester
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has so often been the player to provide the goods in the final third for the Gunners in recent years, playing a huge role in their respective title charges.
The Norwegian has struggled to get going this season, only registering five combined goals and assists in his 17 outings, failing to register any contributions in each of his last two matches.
His latest display was evidence that he’s failing to match his high levels of performance, losing the ball 14 times during his 90-minute display and failing to complete any of his attempted crosses.
Odegaard only won 38% of his duels and was dribbled past once in the process, unable to make an impact at either end of the pitch at the King Power Stadium.
The same can’t be said for one player, who appears to be rapidly becoming the manager’s most important player after his showing against the Foxes yesterday.
The player who’s becoming Arteta’s most important player
The recent injury crisis to players within the final third has seen Arteta hand valuable first-team minutes to players who wouldn’t normally claim a starting role.
Sterling was one of the beneficiaries yesterday, but his dismal outing saw him replaced just after the hour, unable to take advantage of the chance handed his way.
However, fellow attacker Ethan Nwaneri was also handed a start in the Premier League, producing an outstanding display, softening the potential blow in Bukayo Saka’s absence.
The 17-year-old stepped up to the plate, registering an assist in the victory, whilst completing six of his seven attempted dribbles – the most of any player on the pitch.
Nwaneri also won 13 ground duels, hitting the woodwork twice, ultimately being desperately unlucky not to add himself to the scoresheet alongside Merino.
It was a display way beyond his tender teenage years, subsequently receiving a 9/10 match rating from the Daily Express’ Sam Smith, the highest of any starting player in Arteta’s side.
Minutes played
90
Touches
62
Assists
1
Dribbles completed
6/7
Ground duels won
13
Times hit the woodwork
2
Shots taken
4
Such a performance has demonstrated his serious qualities, with Arteta simply not able to drop him upon the return to action for multiple first-team players in the near future.
His ability to create carnage is something which Odegaard was unable to do in the win, with his showing demonstrating his importance to the side, arguably making him the club’s most pivotal star at this moment in time.
Leicester 0-2 Arsenal player ratings: Was anyone else as bad as Sterling?
The Gunners struck late to keep their title hopes alive.
ByBen BrowningFeb 15, 2025
