A crazy encounter at Emirates Stadium saw Arsenal eventually find three points versus Steve Cooper’s Leicester with two goals in the final minutes of added time.
Following on from the 5-1 Carabao Cup success on Wednesday night, Mikel Arteta returned his faith in the same starting XI that started the clash at the Etihad the previous weekend. Bukayo Saka once again captained the Gunners, and Leandro Trossard kept his place after his suspension following his red card against Pep Guardiola’s team.
The first five minutes saw Arsenal misplace a few passes and look slightly sloppy, but they soon got their rhythm going and began to completely dominate possession. Saka was the first to test Foxes goalkeeper Mads Hermansen as he struck a shot from distance which was on target into the bottom corner but the Danish stopper was equal to the effort. Gabriel Martinelli was presented with the best chance in the opening fifteen minutes, as he picked up the ball on the left hand side of the penalty area following a good pass from Saka, but the Brazilian’s shot flew over the bar.
However, it would be Martinelli who would open the scoring just before the twenty minute mark when Jurrien Timber overlapped Saka on the right-hand side, and the Dutchman’s low cross was met by Martinelli who spun his shot into the far bottom corner to give Arsenal a deserved lead. And the goal gave Arsenal the confidence boost they needed and touches in Arsenal’s half became scarce for Leicester as Arsenal controlled the game looking to suck any belief out of their visitors.
And the second goal Mikel Arteta would have been craving came just minutes before half-time as Martinelli turned from goalscorer to provider as he played the ball across the Leicester eighteen-yard box for Trossard to poke the ball into the far corner off the inside of Hermansen’s post to double Arsenal’s lead.
Many could be forgiven for thinking that the game was over during the interval, Arsenal had a two goal advantage and Leicester had barely entered the Arsenal defensive third. However, Mikel Arteta’s side got off to the worst possible start to the second half just ninety seconds following the restart as Leicester reduced the deficit to 2-1 with their first effort on target. A free-kick was swung into the Arsenal box by Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte and James Justin met the delivery with a header which was helped in via a deflection off Kai Havertz. Arsenal pushed forwards to try and regain their two-goal advantage, and came close as another Saka corner was met by Gabriel who, if not for a strong close-range save by Hermansen, would have scored for the third successive league game.
However, Emirates Stadium was soon stunned as on the hour, a Leicester cross was met superbly by the goalscorer Justin on the volley which hit the inside of the post and into the net. Levelling the score at 2-2 out of absolutely nothing with both efforts on target resulting in goals. After what was such a one-sided first half, Arsenal now needed to find the back of the net with twenty-five minutes remaining or they would be dropping points to a newly promoted team at home. A result which would be made worse by the fact Manchester City drew away to Newcastle earlier in the day, meaning a win would leave Arsenal level on points with the blue side of Manchester.
The Gunners continued to fire shot after shot at Hermansen but the Dans just couldn’t be beaten, pulling off multiple strong saves to keep Arsenal at bay. With the clock striking eighty-five minutes, Mikel Arteta rolled the dice by bringing on the seventeen year-old Ethan Nwaneri. And the youngster instantly made an impact, driving past two Leicester players and firing a shot from distance which was once again saved by Hermansen. Leicester’s goalkeeper also made yet another point-blank stop to deny Kai Havertz and as the minutes went by it looked like Arsenal had thrown away the win.
But just when it seemed like hope had gone, Arsenal’s seventeenth corner of the game in the fifth minute of seven stoppage time minutes, they found the goal they were looking for. It came in fortuitous circumstances, the delivery was swung to the back post by Saka and there was Trossard, who’s side-footed effort deflected off Wilfred Ndidi to send Emirates Staidum into raptures as Arsenal re-took the lead with just two minutes to play.
And things weren’t even done there as following the restart, substitute Gabriel Jesus ran through and despite his shot being saved, Arsenal found a fourth as Justin’s clearance bounced off Kai Havertz and rolled into the net to put the result beyond any doubt as Arsenal secured the three points.
Up next for Mikel Arteta’s side: Paris Saint-Germain as the UEFA Champions League returns to N5.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 6
Jurrien Timber: 8
William Saliba: 7
Gabriel: 6
Riccardo Calafiori: 7
Thomas Partey: 6
Declan Rice: 7
Leandro Trossard: 8
Bukayo Saka: 7
Kai Havertz: 6
Gabriel Martinelli: 8