'We knew it was going to be tough'published at 15:57 15 February
15:57 15 February
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day after their victory: "We knew it was going to be tough. The first 20 minutes, we were too sloppy. It opened up the game a little bit. We didn't have a real threat and we weren't playing with enough urgency. We were much sharper in the second half. Mikel could give us something with Trossard off the left."
On Mikel Merino: "He has a sense of danger and great timing in the box. We were on the verge of getting to a different level of anxiety. We were composed, scored two brilliant goals and could have scored one or two more."
On Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly: "Physically they are built in a really special way already. Emotionally and mentally, how composed they are, and how they make decisions on the pitch are really impressive so let them go.
"That's what we want. Let's go day by day and take a lot of positives from the second half but also know the first half wasn't good enough to win games."
'2-0 win is well deserved'published at 15:14 15 February
15:14 15 February
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Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber speaking to BBC Match of the Day after today's win: "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 Ethan Nwaneri and Myles 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."
'The first time I've played that position'published at 14:50 15 February
14:50 15 February
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Arsenal's match winner Mikel Merino, has been speaking to TNT Sports after today's victory: "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."
Leicester 0-2 Arsenal: Did you know?published at 14:45 15 February
14:45 15 February
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Mikel Merino became the first Arsenal player to score twice as a substitute in a Premier League game since Gabriel Martinelli against Crystal Palace in January 2024 and the first to do so away from home since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against Fulham at Craven Cottage in October 2018.
It is the first time Merino has scored twice in a game since scoring a brace for Osasuna against Gimnastic in the Segunda Division play-offs back in June 2016.
Leicester 0-2 Arsenal - send us your thoughtspublished at 14:25 15 February
Sutton's predictions: Leicester v Arsenalpublished at 19:24 14 February
19:24 14 February
It seems Kai Havertz has turned into Pele in the eyes of Arsenal fans since he has been sidelined by a hamstring injury.
All of a sudden Havertz is a world-beater, that they cannot cope without, when in reality he has been panned by them for his inconsistent finishing since he joined.
But, with Gabriel Jesus already out injured for the season, Havertz's absence will give Arsenal fans an excuse if they end up not winning anything this campaign, and there will be a pile-on to ask why they did not sign another striker.
The fact Gunners boss Mikel Arteta tried to get Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in January tells you he wanted someone in.
Now, if they don't win the league, there will be this blame game. Is it Arteta's fault, or is it on the board for not backing him?
Still, even with Havertz out, and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both injured too, I think Arsenal will have enough to beat Leicester. Leandro Trossard will probably lead their attack, although Raheem Sterling can also play up there.
Leicester are out of the FA Cup and were walloped by Everton in their last Premier League game.
This is not going to be anything like as close as their last meeting in September.
Can Nwaneri solve Arsenal's injury crisis?published at 13:26 14 February
13:26 14 February
BBC Sport football news reporter Alex Howell talks to The Football News Show about Arsenal's attacking options following Kai Havertz's season-ending hamstring injury.
Arteta on White's return, Saka's progress and Havertz's injurypublished at 10:18 14 February
10:18 14 February
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Leicester (kick-off 12:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Ben White is available but they will be "managing his load" as he returns.
He said Bukayo Saka remains "in the early stage of his rehab" but has not faced a setback to date.
On Kai Havertz, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury: "We were having a great camp in Dubai - recharging, training, connecting with nature and a different environment. Then the injury happened in an unexpected way. It's a big blow because of injuries we have."
He said Havertz being ruled out is "another challenge" for him, but that is something he loves about working in football.
On whether the club will consider signing a free agent: "I explore every possible situation and make a decision from there."
In response to why there have been so many injuries this season across all clubs: "With the loads and minutes, it's inevitable. It's an accident waiting to happen. This season it's the accumulation of that; the stress. Certainly the schedule is demanding, and for explosive players it becomes an issue."
More from Arteta on what they can do as a club in training to counteract the gruelling schedule: "We train less than ever. We have less time for training. The problem is that the muscles are then over-trained, so the muscles and tendons are not prepared to absorb the stress and don't have time to recover either."
He said they "will have to" change their tactical approach because of the number of injuries to their frontline, but he is confident he has players who can still "give headaches to the opposition".
On whether Ethan Nwaneri play as a striker: "It's a question of when - he has the right qualities to play out wide or centrally. We must adapt to the strengths of our players."
He said Leicester "make life very difficult" and added: "I know Ruud [van Nistelrooy] well and the way he sets up his teams."
On Liverpool dropping points at Everton: "When the gap becomes a little bit shorter, it is always really positive. The next few weeks are going to be critical as well."
Gossip: Arsenal unlikely to sign any free agentspublished at 07:26 14 February
07:26 14 February
Despite a spate of injuries, Arsenal are unlikely to bolster their striking options by signing a free agent because of the calibre of players available. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko are among the players Arsenal are planning to move for in the summer transfer window. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Conor: Was always going to be a big risk going into a title race with Havertz and Jesus as your striking options. Unfortunate with the injuries but they should have done more in the summer.
Michael: Its a real blow because Kai is not just a striker - he intimidates defenders and puts a real shift in. Mikel Arteta will no doubt switch tactics so that we will play to our current strengths.
Simon: Yes, we've missed an opportunity in January and yes it's gonna be a tough run in but we have a couple of options. Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard have worked well in the past as a front two and we know Trossard is a better, more instinctive finisher than Havertz so getting him closer to goal could work well, as we saw at times last season.
David: This finishes Arsenal's season. The die was cast in the summer when rather than adding depth to the squad, it was weakened. They had another chance in January and did not take it. We will encounter more and more injuries as players are overplayed. I will be surprised if we finish in the top four.
Webmeister: Time for Arteta to once again place his trust on youthful exuberance. He should give Andre Harriman-Annous and Nathan Butler-Odeyeji a run in the first team. He has absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain at this point and it honestly can't get any worse that it already is.
Geoff: We need to forget the failed January transfer opportunities, - it's gone. We need to look for a forward from within the club. We have tried a few before when we had a similar situation. If I remember correctly we tried Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Raheem Sterling. None of these three looked the part mainly due to their poor finishing qualities at that time. I heard two names mentioned and I hope the boss considers them; my favourite choice would be Declan Rice and the other possibility is Riccardo Calafiori. Although I wouldn't make either of them an out-and-out centre-forward but more of an advanced midfielder.
Ali: Sign Maxi Gomes and Diego Costa - they are both free agents and could come short term until the summer. Better than nothing! Unless we've got a couple of bag men sitting in the academy that I'm unaware of.
Ian: In order to protect Trossard, Sterling and Nwaneri from fatigue, injury etc Arsenal are going to have to look at playing a defender upfront at times. If he is match-fit, it might be worth looking at Calafiori - he appears to have the necessary attributes.
Durable Havertz 'must be ready for a rest'published at 18:16 13 February
18:16 13 February
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Kai Havertz has faced criticism over his finishing but one aspect of his game which cannot be faulted is his staying power.
The 25-year-old has never missed more than six games in a row since making his professional debut for Bayer Leverkusen in October 2016.
His longest period of absence came while at Chelsea when he contracted Covid and missed six consecutive matches, which included two games with the German national team.
Since his debut in 2016, Havertz has played 429 matches for his various clubs and country and averaged around 48 games per season, playing a career-high 65 matches last season.
Although Havertz will be disappointed to miss out on leading the line as Arsenal battle for the title, he must be ready for a rest, especially before the 2025-26 season, which ends with an expanded World Cup across North America.
Havertz ruled out for remainder of season - what now?published at 15:33 13 February
15:33 13 February
With Kai Havertz's season-ending injury now confirmed, Arsenal's striker woes have just got a whole lot worse.
In a statement released on Thursday, the club said: "We can confirm that Kai Havertz has sustained a hamstring injury during a training session in Dubai last week.
"Subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that the injury will require surgery, which will take place in the coming days. Soon after surgery, Kai will begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to extend into pre-season preparations for next season."
So what now? January has been and gone and can't be changed, so what options does Mikel Arteta have?
Who will score the goals Arsenal need to fight on two fronts?
Can they still put up a realistic challenge to win the Premier League and Champions League?
Gossip: Arsenal frontrunners to sign Williamspublished at 07:44 13 February
07:44 13 February
Arsenal are the most likely candidates to sign 22-year-old Athletic Bilbao and Spain forward Nico Williams. (Fichajes), external
The Gunners made an enquiry for Stoke City defender Jaden Dixon on transfer deadline day and are continuing to monitor the 17-year-old England youth player. (Football Insider), external
Arsenal decided against recalling 24-year-old midfielder Fabio Vieira from his loan spell at Porto after Bukayo Saka injured his thigh. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Image source, Getty Images
