Mikel Merino revealed it was a huge surprise to be asked to fill in as Arsenal's emergency striker in Saturday's 2-0 win over Leicester City in the Premier League. 

After losing Kai Havertz to a season-ending injury, and with Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka also sidelined, Mikel Arteta chose to start without a recognised striker against the Foxes. 

Leandro Trossard started the contest at the top of the Gunners' attack, with Raheem Sterling and the impressive Ethan Nwaneri either side of the Belgian forward. 

With Arsenal on the cusp of dropping two valuable points in their quest to catch Liverpool at the summit of the standings, Merino emerged from the bench to strike twice late on. 

Indeed, Merino became the first Arsenal player to score twice as a substitute in a Premier League game since 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.

Four of the Spaniard's five top-flight goals have put his side one goal in the lead, including three of his four strikes for Arsenal this term, though his latest could prove to be his most crucial. 

"He [Arteta] told me I was going to come in as a striker," Merino told TNT Sports. "This morning we were talking about it a little bit with one of the assistants.

"Honestly, it was a surprise because this is the first time in my career that I played in that position.

"He told me to go as a striker, make sure to go with my strengths, luckily I could help the team with two goals today."

Merino also dedicated his late double to his wife as a belated Valentine's Day present. 

"I don’t know. I don’t think so, to be honest. It’s funny because I've only scored two more braces in my career," Merino added when asked if he would feature as a striker for the foreseeable future. 

"It is the first time I’ve scored two coming off the bench, as a striker, but I think it’s a good day today to score.

"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 or some chocolates!"

The result saw Arsenal go within four points of leaders Liverpool, who take on Wolves at Anfield on Sunday. 

Arsenal also extended their unbeaten run to 15 games in the Premier League (W10 D5), their longest run without defeat since going 16 games between December 2010 and April 2011 under Arsene Wenger.

"This is a long, long season. We’ve been talking about it since the beginning. This is a long run. We have to keep our foot on the gas," Merino concluded. 

"I think if we keep doing this job, putting pressure on every single game, good things will come in the future."

For Leicester, meanwhile, they remain inside the bottom three of the table after suffering another late collapse following their defeat in the FA Cup to Manchester United last week. 

The Foxes have now lost nine of their last 10 Premier League games (W1), going 18 games without keeping a clean sheet since a 1-0 win against Bournemouth in October.

But Ruud van Nistelrooy was pleased with some aspects of the performance, highlighting some of the chances his side had before Merino opened the scoring in the encounter. 

He cited an opportunity eight minutes before Arsenal edged in front, with Myles Lewis-Skelly producing a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Bobby De Cordova-Reid a tap in. 

"Thin margins. The chance of Bobby just by Lewis-Skelly, you can get up with a game in a goal. That makes it hard," Van Nistelrooy told TNT Sports. 

"We did what we could for all parts of the game. Playing out and playing in certain moments when we could. We didn't really look long.

"Two chances from Ndidi with the header and the volley. You need some luck to get a goal and go up against a side like this.

"The players know and are disappointed that we couldn't take anything from the game.

"Arsenal are contending for the title so we know if we keep putting in performances like this then eventually you're going to win games and pick up points."