Six goals occurred at the Emirates today in a game that saw both sets of fans up on their feet celebrating at various points throughout the match.
It would be Arsenal who opened the scoring, with two goals before half-time from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. But an improbable Leicester comeback would see the away side claw back two goals of their own with a brace from right-back James Justin.
However, the dying embers of the game would see a relentless Arsenal finally go a goal ahead through a Wilfred Ndidi own goal via a shot from Trossard, and the game would be truly out of reach for the Foxes after Arsenal’s last opportunity of the game saw Kai Havertz slot the ball into the bottom left corner to make the game four goals to two.
The result sees Arsenal joint on points with Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League table, albeit the result of the Liverpool game later could see the Scousers go top of the league theirselves.
Story of the game:
Arsenal reverted from their youthful lineup played against Bolton to the exact same team seen against Man City last weekend.
For Leicester, an inexperienced Bilal El Khanouss and hard-working Jordan Ayew were replaced by a defensive-minded Oliver Skipp and flashy Facundo Buonanotte.
The story for almost all of the game was a tale of dominance from the Gunners, and the opening 45 minutes would see a slew of chances for the London side.
Opportunities came aplenty for the home side, and would open with a shot from Dutch defender Jurriën Timber following a pass from Thomas Partey - and soon followed the first of thirteen saves from Leicester’s Danish goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
The goal would follow soon after, and it would mark the start of a game to remember for Arsenal winger Martinelli. The Brazilian would latch on to a low-driven cross played by Timber for what was his opening goal of the competitve season and first for Arsenal since a pre-season friendly against Manchester United.
Hermansen would soon again be tested by Martinelli as the winger would beat his man and fire a shot towards the left hand side of the goal, but the Dane was positioned well and blocked the shot.
Few opportunities would arise for Leicester in the first half, with the Midlands club struggling to adapt to Arsenal’s intensity and high press. This sustained pressure would lead to Arsenal’s second of the half, as a pass played in to the box by Martinelli found the outstretched boot of Leandro Trossard, which sent the ball flying into the bottom right corner of Leicester’s net.
The second half was a different tale. And for the Gunners, it couldn’t have started much worse - a foul from usually composed center-back William Saliba led to a Buonanotte free kick, and the Argentine’s attempt found the head of Justin to get a goal back for the visitors.
For the next twenty or so minutes, Arsenal piled on the pressure once more. But heroic goalkeeping kept them at bay, as a double save was required by Hermansen following a corner that saw headers aimed goal-wards from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhães.
Inefficiency wasn’t an issue for Leicester, however, as the Foxes would see a rare chance come their way after a ball played through by winger Stephy Mavididi found a roaming Ndidi.
The Nigerian placed a perfect delivery into the box, and before the ball could even touch the ground it had found the left foot of Justin. The right-back smashed a curling shot around dumfounded Arsenal keeper David Raya to make the game 2-2, notching his second of the match, and the game had suddenly come alive for both teams.
Arsenal were now desperate for a goal to find the lead against their bottom of the league opponents, and they wouldn’t be short of opportunities. None would go converted however, including a 67th minute bicycle kick attempt by Havertz and a powerful shot from Trossard that would have found the net if not for the right glove of Hermansen parrying the ball away.
Just as it all seemed over with only a slither of minutes in extra-time remaining, a corner floated to the far post from Bukayo Saka which was connected with by Trossard. The Belgian hit the ball first-time, which flew towards the goal after deflecting off the leg of Ndidi to give the Gunners their third goal and almost guaranteeing three points.
There was time for another goal as well, and luckily for the hosts it was courtesy of Havertz. Saka ignited a counter-attack down the right hand side which saw Raheem Sterling latch on to the through ball, pinging a shot goal-wards that was not adequately cleared - culminating in Arsenal’s German striker tapping the ball in to make the final score 4-2.
"We’re transitioning to being a competitive Premier League team again. That’s the challenge we accept."
Leicester manager Steve Cooper pre-game on the team's mentality for this season.
VAVEL USA's Man of the Match
Bukayo Saka. A genuinely mesmerizing game from a player who seems to get better at football every second he spends on the pitch. Eight out of 12 dribble attempts were successful, while also creating four key chances and executing eight key passes. Saka was clinical to the press and off-ball approach as well, with 11 ground duels won. This game would have marked his sixth assist in as many games so far this campaign if not for Leandro Trossard’s last minute goal being put down as an own goal.
Credit has to go to Mads Hermansen as well, who had a phenomenal display in net and the young Scandinavian will have picked up many admirers. Trossard will surely be pleased to have enabled what was essentially the match winner, while Gabriel Martinelli was essential for Arsenal’s early lead.
"That’s not an extra, that’s a gamechanger."
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta when asked in a press conference on the quality of Saka's deliveries from corners.
What’s next?
Arsenal will be hosting French champions Paris Saint-Germain in their continental adventure in the Champions League next, with PSG unbeaten in their six domestic games played so far. The game will be played on Tuesday 1st October and kicks off at 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT. Fans can stream on Paramount+.
Leicester’s next game takes place on Saturday October 5th as the Foxes host Bournemouth in a game where they will hope to pick up their first win of the season. The game will commence at 10:00am ET/7:00am PT and will be viewable on Peacock.
