The Gunners moved to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool thanks to two late second-half goals at the King Power Stadium
Mikel Merino was the Arsenal hero as he came off the bench to score twice in the final 20 minutes to earn Mikel Arteta's side a crucial 2-0 win at lowly Leicester to keep their Premier League title hopes alive.
Going into the game without a recognised striker following Kai Havertz's injury, the visitors started with a makeshift front three which included Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling.
But aside from the exciting Nwaneri, they struggled to make anything happening, with Sterling in particular enduring a nightmare afternoon as he toiled over on the left-hand-side of the attack.
As the game wore on, it looked like Arsenal were going to drop two costly points until midfielder Merino replaced Sterling and was sent up front with 20 minutes remaining, turning the game on its head in spectacular fashion.
First, the Spain international headed home Nwaneri's cross to break the deadlock and then he arrived perfectly at the back post to turn in Trossard's ball in and move the Gunners to within four points of league leaders Liverpool.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the King Power Stadium…
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David Raya (6/10):
Not really called into action in terms of saves. One or two nervy moments with the ball at his feet in the first half.
Jurrien Timber (7/10):
Comfortable defensively, but could maybe have got forward on the overlap more to support Nwaneri. Did put one excellent cross in which Merino almost turned home.
William Saliba (7/10):
Barely had a thing to do. Comfortable afternoon's work against Jamie Vardy.
Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):
Cruised through the game alongside Saliba. Never really troubled.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (7/10):
Another solid display from the young left-back. Produced a sensational clearance at the back post to deny Leicester what looked a certain goal in the second half.
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Thomas Partey (5/10):
Unusually poor in possession, especially in the first half. Looked off the pace.
Declan Rice (7/10):
Put one header wide having been picked out by Nwaneri. Did look to get beyond the attack at times, but the ball to him was never quite right. Arsenal's best midfielder on the day.
Martin Odegaard (6/10):
A player who just can't find his best form. Had a few nice touches, but it would be good to see him take on more responsibility when he gets into shooting positions.
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Raheem Sterling (3/10):
Big chance to impress, but failed to take it. Was never really a threat and kept getting caught offside. Frustrating in the first half and it got even worse in the second before he was eventually replaced.
Leandro Trossard (6/10):
Far from his best. Another Arsenal forward who frustrated by being caught needlessly offside. Fluffed his line when being played in by Odegaard in the first half. Did improve when moved to the left and produced a superb cross from Merino's second goal.
Ethan Nwaneri (8/10):
The undoubted bright spot of the afternoon. Looked by far the most likely to open Leicester up. Hit the post and bar and grabbed a crucial assist. Arsenal's best player by a distance.
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Mikel Merino (9/10):
What an impact! On as the makeshift centre forward to replace Sterling and popped up with the two crucial goals in the final 20 minutes. Superb.
Jorginho (6/10):
Replaced the tiring Thomas Partey.
Riccardo Calafiori (7/10):
Added a bit of energy and physicality late on. Involved in the second goal.
Mikel Arteta (7/10):
Should have replaced Sterling earlier, but his substitutions did eventually change the game. This was the first game of the new front three experiment and already it looks impossible for him to be able to start Sterling next week. Merino has to come in up front.