Merino shone in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory at the King Power Stadium, scoring both goals after coming off the bench with just over 20 minutes to go. The dilemma for Mikel Arteta now is whether he starts Merino up front for this weekend’s clash with West Ham, or continues to use him as an impact player from the bench.

Arsenal’s 15-game unbeaten Premier League run came to an end as West Ham United thwarted their attempt to reduce the gap to leaders Liverpool at the top of the table. Liverpool have dropped points in two of their past three matches and travel to Manchester City on Sunday, a ground at which they have not won in 10 years.

Merino may come into the starting line-up with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all out injured. West Ham have lost five of their last seven games as Graham Potter’s side loo to bounce back from last week’s defeat against Brentford.