September 8, 2025

Ndidi solid, Nwaneri impressive as a late Merino flourish sees Arsenal floor Leicester City


Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi showed flashes of his best form, but it was little consolation for Leicester City as they fell to a home defeat against Arsenal, Soccernet.ng reports.

Ndidi made his first Premier League start since returning from injury, but Leicester stumbled to a 2-0 loss at the King Power Stadium.

Substitute Mikel Merino struck twice in the final ten minutes to secure a vital win for Arsenal, bringing Mikel Arteta’s side within four points of leaders Liverpool.

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Before the late collapse, Leicester had held firm, keeping Arsenal’s depleted attack at bay.

Nigeria Super Eagles and Leicester City star Wilfred Ndidi
Nigeria Super Eagles and Leicester City star Wilfred Ndidi
– Photo by Icon Sport

Ndidi delivered an energetic display in midfield, contributing both defensively and offensively. The Super Eagles star even had Leicester’s best chance of the match, but he glanced a free header wide on the stroke of halftime.

READ MORE: Wilfred Ndidi outshines Mac Allister, Casemiro in key Premier League stat despite injury woes

Caleb Okoli, who has been called up to the Italian national team but remains eligible for Nigeria, also put in a solid shift at the heart of the Foxes’ defence.

Caleb Okoli wanted by Parma
Leicester City star Caleb Okoli. Photo by IMAGO

Despite missing Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz, Arsenal found their breakthrough late on.

Super Eagles-eligible youngster Ethan Nwaneri was the visitors’ standout performer, twice hitting the crossbar and driving Arsenal’s attacking play.

However, it was Spanish midfielder Merino, deployed as a makeshift centre-forward, who broke Leicester’s resistance.

He nodded Arsenal into the lead in the 80th minute from a pinpoint Nwaneri cross before stabbing home Leandro Trossard’s low delivery to seal the victory. 



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