Arsenal's new-look frontline fails to click but Mikel Arteta's decision to replace rusty Raheem Sterling with Martin Merino proved inspired as the midfielder went up front and scored goals a striker would be proud of to seal a 2-0 victory at Leice

The result cuts the gap to Liverpool to four points ahead of the Premier League leaders' home match against Wolves on Sunday

Mikel Arteta praised substitute Martin Merino for his “striker’s performance” as Arsenal closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool with a 2-0 win at Leicester.

Merino, who started the season in midfield, was deployed as a centre-forward by Arteta after Raheem Sterling was taken off following an ineffective performance.

The 27-year-old Spaniard rewarded Arteta’s decision by scoring two goals in the final 10 minutes to secure Arsenal’s first away league win in 2023.

“We had a plan today and we executed it really well,” Arteta said. “We knew that Leicester would be dangerous on the counter-attack, so we wanted to keep the ball and make them chase us.

“We did that in the first half, but we weren’t clinical enough in the final third. We had a few chances to score, but we didn’t take them.

“We needed to be more threatening in the second half, so I decided to bring on Merino for Sterling. We wanted to add another body in the box and create more problems for Leicester’s defence.

“Merino played really well up front. He scored two goals, which is what we needed from him. But he also worked hard for the team and helped us to keep the ball.”

Arteta’s decision to start 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri in midfield also paid off, with the teenager impressing throughout and providing the cross for Merino’s opener.

“Ethan played really well today,” Arteta added. “He’s a very talented player and he’s still learning, but he showed glimpses of his potential out there.

“He was unlucky not to score himself, but he hit the woodwork twice and created a few chances for his team-mates.

“I’m really pleased with his performance and I think he can be a valuable asset for us in the coming months.”

The win moves Arsenal to within four points of Liverpool, who are in action at home to Wolves on Sunday.