Match Report – Match Highlights – Player Ratings – Post-Match Press Conference
Final Result: Arsenal 4-2 Leicester Martinelli 20′, Trossard 45′, Ndidi 94′, Havertz 99′ | Justin 47′, 63?)
Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey (Nwaneri 85′), Rice, Trossard (G. Jesus 98′); Saka, Havertz, Martinelli (Sterling 74′)
After taking care of business in the Carabao Cup against Bolton, Arsenal hosted Leicester City after learning of the results of their rivals, three points was an absolute must. However, knowing Arsenal, it wasn’t always going to be a smooth ride in the park, as despite earning a comfortable lead, Mikel Arteta’s men somehow found a way to bottle it, before a last hurray that saw them win the contest.
First Half Analysis
The first noteworthy chance of the match came from Gabriel Martinelli but his effort over the bar stemmed from a player bereft of confidence, but the stars aligned when the Brazilian winger latched onto Jurrien Timber’s cut back to bundle the ball in. Leicester’s goalie, Mads Hermansen had a stormer making save after save, keeping the score line intact.
Arsenal had a very huge chance when Leandro Trossard raced to the byline and drilled a cross for Kai Havertz whose header bounced past the Leicester goalie’s post. Right on the stroke of half time, Arsenal doubled their money when Trossard guided Martinelli’ cut back goalwards, with Hermansen having no chance in Hell to execute a save.
Second Half Analysis
Arsenal removed their foot off the pedal and early on, the lead was shortened by Buonanotte’s cross was headed by James Justin’s header went past David Raya. From the initial play, it looked like Raya made a mistake to stop that header but on replay, the ball actually deflected off Havertz. The usually raucous Emirates Stadium became silent when Justin latched on a brilliant cross from Wilfred Ndidi with an exquisite shot any striker would have been proud of.
Arsenal switched gears and went all out in the latter stages of the game and that pressure paid off when Saka swung the umpteenth cross that was attacked by Trossard. Fortunately, the ball deflected off Ndidi and went through Hermansen’s legs into the net. The celebration from the home crowd was glossed with some relief. Havertz added some gloss to the score line when Justin anticipated Gabriel Jesus’ to ricochet the ball to his path for the easiest finish he’d ever do.
