Positives & negatives from Arsenal's 2-0 win at Leicester

Arsenal stumbled and bumbled through what was largely turgid, torpor tussle with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, but the Gunners eventually earned three precious points thanks to unlikely hero Mikel Merino, who scored twice inside the last 10 minutes to silence the Foxes.

Rather than keep the collective foot on the throat of a recently wounded Liverpool, the Gunners risked once again surrendering the initiative in the Premier League title race. It didn't help that Mikel Arteta's first attempt to find a remedy for an injury epidemic up top fell flat.

The Arsenal gaffer opted for a false nine, with Leandro Trossard earning anything but rave reviews in the titular role. Trossard hardly received competent supporting acts from a typically soporific Raheem Sterling.

Fortunately, Ethan Nwaneri eventually found the magic touch and teed up Merino to play the hero. The latter doubled his tally and finished the job by capping a swift counterattack three minutes from time.

Merino had been long overdue a positive contribution, and they don't come much more positive than a brace worthy of cutting the gap at the top of the table to just four points. It. Is. On.

Positives & negatives from Arsenal's 2-0 win at Leicester

Positive #1: Mikel Merino finally delivered

It's been easy to wonder what exactly Arsenal paid for when the club forked over £30 million to Real Sociedad for Merino last summer. One of the oft-repeated lines was "duel monster," indicating Merino's ability to win the ball in the air, something that came in handy against Leicester's overworked defence.

Merino got his head to Nwaneri's clipped cross in the 81st minute. The goal always looked like being all Arsenal needed to claim the spoils.

Merino's finish also confirmed he can in fact take on the striker-of-sorts role Arsenal will need in the coming weeks. A sort of Marouane Fellaini for the hipster set.

Merino's first finish played to his core strengths, but the second was a thing of beauty. A lovely, controlled side-foot finish with his left peg at the back stick. Yummy.

Merino won't solve the midfield problem next to Declan Rice, but the Spain international could in line for another Kai Havertz-Esque transformation further forward.

Negative #1: Leandro Trossard flopped as a false nine

There's long been a misconception that Leandro Trossard is some sort of clutch utility man for all seasons. He can play on either flank, drop into a central creator's role, and even mimic a striker.

All of that sounds great in theory, but very little of it holds up in practice. Trossard might be a jack of all trades, but he's a master of few.

The Belgian has floundered when asked to take the Martin Odegaard mantle in the middle. And based on his performance at the King Power, Trossard isn't a false nine who will strike fears into the hearts of central defenders nor make them long for the days when they rubbed shoulders, elbows, and foreheads with traditional target men.

It was fitting and also telling that Trossard's best contribution against Leicester came from the left flank, when he crossed for Merino's second. The left wing is where Trossard is most comfortable, so Arteta should look for different solutions through the middle.

Unfortunately, one potential candidate continues to disappoint.

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