Arsenal claimed a crucial 2-0 win over Leicester City on Saturday to keep close to Liverpool at the top of the table, with Mikel Merino stepping off the bench to score both goals
Kai Havertz was still uppermost in the thoughts of Mikel Arteta’s players after the final whistle.
With the player – and club – still reeling at the news of his serious hamstring injury, the decision was made to include him in the celebrations. Thanks to a late cameo from stand-in Mikel Merino, the pressure on leaders Liverpool was maintained.
It was far from a polished performance as the Foxes – for the most part – coped far more comfortably with the Gunners’ frontline than their lowly place in the Premier League pecking order would suggest. But the Spaniard came good. And Arteta’s squad made sure that Havertz was a part of it.
Defender Jurrien Timber said: “Losing Kai is massive for us – and a big blow for him. He’s been fighting all season for us.
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“We can’t wait to have him back. For us now, the challenge is to go on and win games without him – everyone knows we are a bit tight up front. But we’ve had him on FaceTime in the dressing room after the match. We’ve spoken to him.”
Had it not been for a timely Myles Lewis-Skelly intervention in the 73rd minute – he diverted the ball away from Bobby de Cordova-Reid, who simply had to sidefoot into an empty net – this could have gone very wrong for the Gunners.
That it didn’t was down to the textbook header from Merino finishing off Ethan Nwaneri’s cross and then produced a superb sidefoot finish on the half-volley to round off the scoring.
It was a surprise to many, including Timber, who had no idea his colleague was so capable in front of goal.
He said: “It’s crazy isn’t it? I couldn’t do it. But it says a lot about his qualities. He was injured during his first training session with us. It’s never easy. I went through the same.
“But being a midfielder and coming in this way…playing like a striker and scoring like a striker as well isn’t easy. We know he’s a good finisher. But he’s never played as a striker in training, so that makes it even more crazy how he does it.
“His mentality has always been good. So, when he comes in, even if you put him on the left or right wing, he will always give his all, and that’s what he did.”
Other than Merino, teenager Ethan Nwaneri again caught the eye. He ended up with an assist, but it’s some going to Arsenal ’s main goal threat at such a tender age. Leandro Trossard looked wasted up front through the middle and Raheem Sterling was well off the pace.
Timber added: “Ethan was incredible. He was such a threat. His finishing – the way he takes the ball and takes on a defender.
“For us, it’s a joy to see. I tried to play him as many balls as I can, just to give him that momentum, it was amazing to see. Both Ethan and Myles (Lewis-Skelly) are showing us every week how good they are and how good they can become. For us, it’s a joy to see. Sometimes I forget how old they are. Then, people remind me, and I’m like: ‘Wow.’
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