Arsenal claimed a second win in the midlands in as many weeks as Mikel Arteta took his team to Leicester looking to (briefly) go back in a position to put themselves five points clear a the top of the Premier League, and they did just that with a classic 0-1 win, however the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story of the contest.
The Gunners had their buzz and confidence back with them following their thrilling 2-4 win away at Aston Villa the previous weekend, and Mikel Arteta would have been desperate to back up the success at Villa Park with three points at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes have endured a topsy-turvy season under Brendan Rodgers so far, with inconsistent form meaning the Northern Irishman is still very much under pressure at The King Power. His opposite number Arteta in preparation for the game tried something different with his starting XI for the first time in a long time, as the Spaniard mixed things up by resting Eddie Nketiah on the bench and starting January singing Leandro Trossard upfront. And the Belgian looked like he had opened the scoring midway through the first half as he struck a brilliant strike into the top right hand corner leaving Danny Ward stranded. However, the goal was controversially ruled out as VAR and referee Craig Pawson felt Ben White had pulled Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward by the arm.
The controversial refereeing decisions didn’t stop there as Arsenal probably should have had a penalty in the first half as Buakyo Saka was clearly pulled down by both arms from a Foxes defender, but the Gunners appeals was waved away by Pawson. However, Arsenal got the goal they deserved for a domiannt performance in the opening minutes of the second half as Gabriel Martinelli smartly finished into the bottom corner following a great ball from Trossard. There was a scare as it looked like the Brazilian may have suffered a serious injury whilst scoring the opener, however he was thankfully ok to continue. And Bukayo Saka had the ball in the net not too long after for 0-2 however the goal was ruled out for offside, although it was close this one looked like the correct call.
The last minutes were nervy, as it was always going to be at 0-1, however despite the nerves Leicester never really troubled Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal. with the home side regersting only one shot and 0.01(xG) all game which flew just past Ramsdale’s right post from Dewsbury-Hall in the second half. The clean sheet will be really pleasing to the Arsenal goalkeeper, Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal fans as the Gunners defending has been rather suspect in recent games so the great defending throguhout – particauly from centre back Gabriel – is a strong step back to the levels the Arsenal defence showed in the first part of the season before the World Cup break.
Arsenal have the chance to go back to five points clear at the top of the Premier League as they face Sean Dyche’s Everton at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening which is the Gunners game in hand. A win will represent a real step in the right direction for Arteta and Arsenal.