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Arsenal left it late to secure a 2-0 win over Leicester City, with midfielder Mikel Merino, playing as a makeshift striker, scoring a brace, while Thomas Partey struggled in the midfield.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has publicly apologized for his underwhelming performance in the Gunners’ recent 2-0 win over Leicester City. Despite the win, Partey acknowledged that he did not meet his usual standards in the match held at the King Power Stadium.
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The match saw Arsenal struggle initially to break down Leicester’s defense, with key players like Kai Havertz ruled out for the season. Leandro Trossard started as a makeshift striker, but Arsenal lacked the cutting edge in attack. In a tactical gamble, manager Mikel Arteta introduced midfielder Mikel Merino in the second half as an emergency striker, which paid off as Merino netted a late brace to secure the win.
Reflecting on his performance, Partey took to Instagram to express his disappointment. “On days when I’m not at my best, the strength of the team carries us to victory. Vamoooosss,” he wrote in his post. His candid admission drew support from both teammates and fans.
Arteta admitted that the team was fortunate Merino delivered when it mattered most. “We believed that he could impact the game, and we were lucky that he did,” Arteta said. The manager emphasized the importance of different players stepping up in various situations.
While Merino made headlines, Partey will be looking to bounce back as Arsenal continues their title charge in the final stretch of the season. The Ghanaian has started 21 league games this season under Arteta, contributing three goals and two assists.
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