Leicester City player ratings vs Arsenal as Mikel Merino late goals sink Ruud van Nistelrooy to 9th defeat in last 10 games as TWO stars impress with 8/10 standout performance but was let down by Foxes weak link

Leicester City suffered a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, with substitute Mikel Merino netting a late brace to seal the victory.

The match was closely contested, as the scoreline suggests, but Leicester lacked the decisive moment of quality needed to break through. Ethan Nwaneri’s exquisite cross was met by Merino, who headed home late in the game, and the Spaniard added a second just minutes before the final whistle.

Merino’s quickfire double would have left Ruud van Nistelrooy with a bitter taste in his mouth, as his side had been resilient throughout the match, defending well and posing a threat on the counter.

This came despite Leicester fans protesting against Jon Rudkin in the 14th minute, directing their frustrations toward the man largely blamed for the club’s struggles.

While the Foxes showed glimpses of promise, it marks 10 defeats in 12 league games for Van Nistelrooy, a record that falls far short of expectations.

Here’s how the players rated.

Leicester City player ratings vs Arsenal
Mads Hermansen – 6
It was a surprisingly quiet afternoon for Hermansen until the closing stages, when he was beaten twice by Merino’s goals.

James Justin – 6
Justin is often criticized defensively, but he handled Raheem Sterling well in the first half. Unfortunately, he was substituted for Woyo Coulibaly just before halftime due to a suspected injury.

Wout Faes – 5.5

Faes is frequently seen as a weak link, as highlighted in the 4-0 loss to Everton, and Arsenal didn’t test him much until the first goal. Merino managed to slip away from the Belgian to head the ball past Hermansen.

Caleb Okoli – 6.5
The Italian is starting to solidify his place in the starting lineup alongside Faes, showcasing his power and athleticism in defense. He handled Arsenal’s attack well for the most part, proving to be a reliable presence at the back.

Victor Kristiansen – 3

It was a difficult afternoon for Kristiansen. The Dane, not known for his pace, struggled to keep up with Arsenal’s 17-year-old sensation Ethan Nwaneri, who repeatedly outmaneuvered him. He simply couldn’t cope with the young winger’s speed and skill.

Wilfred Ndidi – 8

Ndidi was a standout performer for Leicester in midfield. Following his impressive return against Manchester United, he delivered another near-flawless display on Saturday. The Nigerian controlled possession with ease, made crucial interventions, and came close to scoring twice in the first half.

Boubakary Soumare – 7
Soumare was excellent alongside Ndidi in midfield. He covered a lot of ground, kept his play simple yet effective, and made several important tackles to break up Arsenal’s attacks.

Bobby De Cordova Reid – 5.5

De Cordova Reid worked hard defensively, often tracking back to support his full-back. However, he struggled to make an impact going forward and was denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity by Myles Lewis-Skelly’s crucial interception.

Bilal El Khannouss – 6.5
El Khannouss is emerging as a talented player, but in this match, he didn’t influence the game as much as he would have hoped. Despite his potential, he was unable to leave a significant mark on the contest.

Jordan Ayew – 5.5
Ayew was industrious on the left flank and produced a moment of quality late in the second half. However, his cross was brilliantly intercepted by Lewis-Skelly, denying De Cordova Reid a simple tap-in. Ayew’s discipline was also an issue, as he frequently gave away fouls.

Jamie Vardy – 7
Vardy engaged in an intriguing battle with Gabriel and William Saliba. He held the ball up effectively when it was played into him and distributed it well to his teammates. It was a solid performance from Leicester’s talisman, who continues to lead by example.

Substitutes
Woyo Coulibaly – 8

Leicester fans had called for Coulibaly to start against Arsenal, and although he began on the bench, he was brought on at halftime for the injured Justin. The Frenchman delivered a colossal defensive performance against Sterling, likely securing a permanent spot in the starting lineup.

Stephy Mavididi – 6.5
The former Arsenal player posed a threat after coming on, using his pace to trouble defenders, but he couldn’t deliver a decisive final ball.