Leicester City

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, speaking to TNT Sports: "It was a game of thin margins. Of course, Arsenal was in a way the dominant side.

"We did well controlling them and on the ball we had our spells. The turning point in the game was their goal, but that's also what I mean by thin margins.

"The ball across from Ayew to De Cordova-Reid where he can tap it in.

"You start to react and go for a goal but then they score the second.

"I can only give credit to the players. We defended well as a team, we blocked a lot of shots, we tried to apply as much pressure on the backline.

"I think we were compact and strong.

"But overall, I can only compliment the team.

"We know that we are not scoring two or three goals every game. We get our goal and sometimes two, but we were creating against an Arsenal team who are in great form and contending for the title.

"It is the Premier League and it can be decided in the blink of an eye. Top quality players making a difference in the game.

"Of course, if you don't take anything from the game then there is big disappointment. We are close in getting results."

On James Justin's injury: "We have to assess and he couldn't carry on.

"Hopefully it's nothing bad."

Arsenal

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I think Mikel [Merino] did an amazing job. It's not easy being a midfielder and coming in and playing like a striker. We didn't [train with Merino as a striker] but I think he has exceptional qualities and he showed it again today.

"The first half we didn't go to our level and we created a couple of chances that didn't go in in the second half. We know it's a tough away game before coming here but a 2-0 win is well deserved.

On the title race: "You know how tight it is and you know how good the opposition is. We need three points next week and the week after that. The reality is that we are chasing them and we need to win our games.

On Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly: "You almost forget they are so young. They are amazing for that age. it's from a different level and the sky is the limit for them.

Dion Dublin
Former Aston Villa striker on Final Score

I've never seen a team do this before, a team so dominant to have a drop off like they have. They've still got world class players but they don't seem to be sparkling like they were. There doesn't seem to be anyone who's taking charge for them. There's nobody going 'keep hold of what we've got'. They're letting leads go and they're too good to do that.

Steph Houghton
Former Manchester City and England captain on Final Score

You've got to give Newcastle credit, I enjoy watching the way they play. I think this run is going to be crucial to where they finish and if they've got the depth to do that I'm not too sure.

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter at the Etihad Stadium

Manchester City have already had one victory this weekend, over the Premier League in a tribunal ruling over old Associated Party Transaction rules, which were in place until November.

City believe they are unfair and are only in place to protect the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United because it stops connected parties - so in City's case Etihad from paying high sponsorship deals, which in turn impacts what they can spend.

The Premier League feel it is the only fair way to run the competition.

Newcastle are keeping a close eye on this situation because, in theory, they could have more money to spend than anyone.

Newcastle joined City in voting against the 'new' rules, which are now also the subject of a legal challenge.

The Premier League want an outcome on that pretty quickly. If City win that one, APT is effectively dead.

Steph Houghton
Former Manchester City and England captain on Final Score

I think in terms of the league as a whole there's so many results we probably wouldn't be able to predict, a lot of injuries. In terms of Manchester City it's very inconsistent from them this season. All of a sudden they lose and the same problem arises. It's so clear that when you have key players missing it affects the way they play.

Dion Dublin
Former Aston Villa striker on Football Focus

I think the fans will be on his case because that's the way they are, they want that beautiful game again. They've not had it for a while but he's a coach who wants to play.

Gavin Ramjaun
BBC Final Score at the London Stadium

All eyes on whether Jarrod Bowen can make it to 50 West Ham goals today, he’s just one off the mark…

I 've also been hanging out with my old mate Paul Konchesky. Naturally, he senses a Hammers victory against a team that always scores against them!

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo admits he still gets "emotional" thinking back to Sunday, 29 November 2020 when Raul Jimenez suffered a sickening head injury against Arsenal.

Nuno was in charge of Wolves when their talismanic striker Jimenez suffered a horrific clash of heads with defender David Luiz that left him unconscious.

"The relationship I had with Raul was amazing," Nuno said. "And just to see him playing after, after what happened... believe me, it's a huge joy for me.

"I get emotional just thinking about it.

If Jimenez scores today, it will be the first time he has reached double figures since 2019-20.

Dion Dublin
Former Aston Villa striker on Football Focus

Image source, Getty Images

I don't think he's underrated, I just think players like Morgan Gibbs White are going to get the headlines. The way that Elliot Anderson is playing at the moment, he's just doing the other midfield role which people don't realise needs to be doing. He's got incredible footwork, he's physical and gets the job done.

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think the consistency of playing a regular XI has helped them.

Having a prolific goalscorer in Wood has been key. They have to be clinical to win games the way that they do and in the style that they play.

Nottingham Forest are undoubtedly this season's surprise package.

No-one expected Nuno Espirito Santo's side to be fighting for the Champions League places, but halfway through February, they are in the thick of the race.

But, do problems lurk around the corner?

So far this season, Forest's players have averaged more Premier League minutes individually than any other team – and Nuno has only needed to use 26 players.

Read more.

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think they can continue the form they are in.

The amount of injuries they have, for a club like Bournemouth. They have brought players in and they have managed to get results.

As players come back from injuries, I think Bournemouth are only going to get better.

Michael Brown
Former Manchester City midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'm excited to see what Marcus Rashford can do.

Their signings are really impressive and the recruitment has been remarkable.

Image source, Getty Images

Marcus Rashford isn't in the starting XI for Aston Villa today but Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna said the on-loan forward "would be an addition to any team in the league".

McKenna previously worked with Rashford during his time coaching at Manchester United and is anticipating facing the 27-year-old when Town travel to Villa Park on Saturday.

"We know what a threat he is," McKenna said. "I think football careers are tough, and especially when you start as young as Marcus did and you break in at at 18. If you play until your mid-thirties or beyond, then it's not all going to be smooth sailing. It very rarely is."

Dion Dublin
Former Aston Villa striker on Final Score

When you're in a situation like Arsenal where you just have to nick your points, it can be ugly, it doesn't matter. Just keep churning away, keep getting points, forget about the outside noise. Get the points and stay as close to Liverpool as you can.

Leicester City

Leicester attacker Bilal El Khannouss speaking to Sky Sports: "I think we did well for 80 minutes to take a result today but you cannot lose concentration against those teams. It is easy for Meriono to head it in. We have to do better in those situations.

"We were fighting all together as a team. We know we have to fight for each ball and it's what we did for 80 minutes. It's hard to take.

"When you defend like that, you always know something will fall at the other side. We had some opportunities but we didn't take them. It's a hard fight but we played a lot of good games already that we didn't take results in."

Chris Collinson
BBC football statistician

A rare and timely brace from Mikel Merino today…

It’s the first time he’s scored twice in a game since scoring a brace for Osasuna against Gimnastic in the Segunda Division play-offs back in June 2016.

Arsenal

Arsenal's makeshift striker Mikel Merino, speaking to TNT Sports: "He [Mikel Arteta] told me to come in as a striker this morning. We were talking about it a little bit with one of the assistants. It is the first time in my career that I've played that position.

"He told me to go with my strengths and luckily I could help the team with two goals today."

On him starting as a striker regularly: "I don't think so to be honest. It is the first time I have scored a brace coming off the bench as a striker.

"I forgot to give my wife something for Valentine's Day so this goes to her. I think she will appreciate this more than a rose and some chocolate.

"Today was a tough game. But I think these games are the ones you need the spirit. Games like today are really good for the squad."

On Ethan Nwaneri: "He is an amazing player. Every time I do an interview you guys ask me about him.

"We have to keep the foot on the gas and if we keep doing this job then good things will come in the future."