Arsenal secured a dramatic 4-2 victory over Leicester City at Emirates Stadium. Despite an early half-chance for James Justin, Arsenal were utterly dominant in the opening exchanges, barely allowing Leicester a sniff. The Gunners then eventually edged in front when Gabriel Martinelli rolled home Jurrien Timber’s cut back.
At that point it seemed like a question of how many Arsenal could get as Kai Havertz and Declan Rice went close. Right on the stroke of half time Leandro Trossard tapped home a crucial second goal.
It seemed as though the game would be a walk in the park Arsenal from that point but within a minute of the restart Leicester had one back as Wilfred Ndidi headed home from a free-kick. The Gunners responded well and hit the post through Trossard, but it was Leicester who grabbed an equaliser instead after a superb volley from Justin.
With seconds remaining it appeared that Arsenal had somehow conspired to drop two points for the second week in a row, but Trossard popped up again at the back post to poke in Saka’s corner off Ndidi. Amid jubilant scenes there was still time for Havertz to score a fortunate fourth as Justin’s clearance deflected off him and in and despite the German being in an offside position.
David Raya: The life of a goalkeeper – barely touched the ball and still had to pick it out of his net twice. 6.
Jurrien Timber: Got forward superbly in the first half and grabbed an assist for Martinelli’s opener. Could have scored himself in the second but was out of position for the cross that led to Justin’s equaliser. 7.
William Saliba: So switched on in the first half as he did not allow Jamie Vardy a sniff. Lost that focus at the start of the second period as he gave away the free kick that led to Ndidi’s goal. 6.
Gabriel: Could have made it three corner goals from three if not for a great save from Hermansen. Could not do much about the goals Leicester scored. 6.
Riccardo Calafiori: Looks really good going forward, but there are still some questions to be answered from a defensive perspective. A little caught out by the cross that led to Leicester’s equaliser and could have been sent off for a second yellow on another day. 6.
Thomas Partey: Was really good in the first half in allowing Arsenal to maintain their utter dominance. Looked to tire massively in the second, though, and should have done more to block the cross that led to the equaliser. 6.
Leandro Trossard: Took his goal to put Arsenal two up very well. May not have intended his winner to cross the line but deserved the luck after a great display. 8.
Declan Rice: Won the ball back time and again to keep Arsenal on top in the first half. His set piece delivery was consistently good too. 7.
Bukayo Saka: Terrorised Leicester down the right in the first half as he fashioned opening after opening. Consistently great set piece delivery. The first player to grab assists in each of his opening six Premier League games of a season. 8.
Kai Havertz: Turned his back to deflect Ndidi’s header in, which will be disappointing. Worked hard up front and was eventually rewarded with the luckiest goal he’ll ever score. 7.
Gabriel Martinelli: A goal and an assist for the Brazilian who looked back to his best at times in the first half. Will do wonders for his confidence. His withdrawal was no reflection on his play. 8.
SUBSTITUTES –
Raheem Sterling: Beat his man straight away after coming down the left flank. Injected some energy into the Arsenal attack. 7.
Ethan Nwaneri: A huge show of faith for Arteta to turn to the 17-year-old in a time of need. Almost rewarded the decision instantly with a shot from range. Looked bright otherwise. 7.
Gabriel Jesus: On deep in stoppage time. N/A
