Arsenal overcame their injury concerns to narrow the gap with Premier League leaders Liverpool as Mikel Merino led them to a 2-0 victory against Leicester, whilst Omar Marmoush’s hat-trick powered Manchester City to a 4-0 triumph over Newcastle on Saturday.
Arteta’s team initially struggled to break through at the King Power Stadium, risking a missed opportunity to gain ground in the title race.
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With limited attacking options due to injuries, Arteta deployed Spanish midfielder Merino as an improvised forward in the final minutes.
The tactical change proved successful as Merino scored twice in the final nine minutes, extending Arsenal’s unbeaten league streak to 15 matches.
In the 81st minute, Ethan Nwaneri delivered an accurate cross into Leicester’s area, where Merino headed powerfully past Mads Hermansen from six yards.
Seven minutes afterwards, Leandro Trossard sent a cross into the six-yard box, and Merino’s perfectly-timed run beat the Leicester defence as he finished to bring second-placed Arsenal within four points of Liverpool.
Arteta faced significant attacking limitations with Kai Havertz out for the season after sustaining a hamstring injury during training in Dubai.
Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were also unavailable due to injuries.
The Gunners secured a crucial victory upon their return to action, following their 2-0 League Cup semi-final defeat at Newcastle and subsequent break due to their FA Cup elimination.
“The first half, we struggled to get momentum because we did a lot of simple things wrong, but the second half was very different,” Arteta said. “Mikel obviously made a huge impact to score the two goals.”
Liverpool can extend their advantage back to seven points by defeating struggling Wolves at Anfield on Sunday.
At the Etihad Stadium, Egyptian forward Marmoush registered his first City goals since his January transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Marmoush ended his four-match goalless run in the 19th minute, racing onto Ederson’s long kick to expertly lob Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka.
Just five minutes later, Marmoush scored again with a powerful shot that deflected off Kieran Trippier past Dubravka.
The 26-year-old completed his 14-minute hat-trick in the 33rd minute.
Savinho’s pass found Marmoush in Newcastle’s area, where he calmly finished for his first career treble.
James McAtee’s 84th minute volley provided additional encouragement for City following Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League play-off first leg.
However, City faced concern when Norwegian striker Erling Haaland left the pitch with a possible knee injury late on.
Currently fourth in the Premier League, Guardiola’s side travel to Madrid on Wednesday requiring a second-leg comeback to avoid European elimination.
“The way we played, we remembered what we were and what we have not been this season,” Guardiola said. “I’m really pleased with the pace and intensity. Marmoush did really well in Germany, a player with quality and pace.”
Newcastle, in seventh place, remain three points behind the top four in the Champions League qualification race.
Other Premier League results from Saturday fixtures:
- Third-placed Nottingham Forest fell to a 2-1 defeat at Fulham, with Calvin Bassey’s header deciding the match in the 62nd minute.
- Bournemouth climbed to fifth after Dango Ouattara, Ryan Christie and Marcus Tavernier scored in their 3-1 victory at bottom-placed Southampton.
- Ten-man Ipswich, despite Axel Tuanzebe’s dismissal before half-time, secured a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa. Liam Delap gave Ipswich the lead after 56 minutes before Ollie Watkins equalised in the 69th minute.
- Everton defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 through Carlos Alcaraz’s 80th minute goal on his league debut start.
- Kevin Schade’s fourth-minute strike secured Brentford’s 1-0 win at West Ham.