AliousLeicester City find themselves in serious danger of relegation following a 2-0 loss to Arsenal in a Premier League clash at the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The match saw three players of Nigerian heritage—Wilfred Ndidi, Caleb Okoli, and Ethan Nwaneri—feature in the starting lineup. Notably, Ndidi made his first league appearance in over two months. Despite dealing with a depleted attack due to injuries to key forwards Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz, Arsenal managed to secure an important victory that keeps them firmly in the title race.
This win narrows the gap between the Gunners and league leaders Liverpool to just four points, with Jurgen Klopp’s side set to face Wolverhampton Wanderers the following day. Arsenal’s triumph was largely credited to substitute Mikel Merino, who played as a false nine and scored twice in the final ten minutes to seal the win.
The opening half was a tense affair, with Leicester content to absorb pressure and frustrate their high-flying opponents. However, it was Ndidi who came closest to breaking the deadlock. The Super Eagles midfielder met a well-placed cross from the left flank, rising high to connect with a glancing header that narrowly missed the far post.
Liverpool great Michael Owen, providing analysis on Premier League Productions at halftime, criticized Ndidi for failing to capitalize on the opportunity, emphasizing that it could have given Leicester a crucial lead at the break.
“That was a big chance—he should have done better,” Owen remarked. “Gabriel gets pulled towards the near post, leaving a huge gap, and Ndidi makes a late run into the space. He has to do more with that.”
The Nigerian international has struggled to make a direct attacking impact in the league, with his last goal contribution dating back to September’s encounter against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
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