With this result, Arsenal temporarily secured third place in the competition. Mikel Arteta’s team is closing in on the top of the table and matched the points of the second-placed Manchester City, but falls behind on tiebreaker criteria. Meanwhile, Leicester City reached four points and is in 15th position.
The clubs will now return to the field for different tournaments. This Tuesday, in the second round of the Champions League, Arsenal will host PSG. The game kicks off at 4 PM (Brasília time) at the Emirates Stadium.
Leicester City will not return to the Premier League until next weekend. The team will face Bournemouth on Saturday (5th), starting at 11 AM at King Power Stadium, in the seventh round of the championship.
The match
The first – and best – chance of the match came in the 14th minute. Saka received the ball on the right, cut to the middle, and took a shot from outside the area, but goalkeeper Hermansen dove to make the save.
Just one minute later, Gabriel Martinelli nearly opened the scoring. Saka received the ball on the right again and threw a beautiful pass to the Brazilian, who was entering the penalty area from the left. The number 11 controlled the ball and shot towards the goal, but he struck it too low and sent it over the net.
And it was after this pressure that, in the 19th minute, Arsenal managed to open the scoring at the Emirates Stadium. Saka carried the ball down the right, saw Timber’s run, and passed it. The number 12 made a low cross into the middle of the area, and Martinelli shot low, opening the score.
With 24 minutes on the clock, Martinelli nearly scored his second goal of the game. The Brazilian received the ball on the left side of the penalty area and shot powerfully, but it was stopped by a save from goalkeeper Hermansen.
In the 36th minute, Arsenal came very close to reaching the second goal again. Trossard lifted the ball into the area, and Havertz rose alone to head it, but ended up missing too much and watched the ball pass just beside the post of Leicester’s goal.
And already in stoppage time, Arsenal managed to increase their lead on the scoreboard. Martinelli appeared on the left side of the penalty area and passed the ball to the middle. Trossard, alone, shot into the back of the net, scoring the second for the Gunners.
Right at the start of the second half, Leicester City reduced Arsenal’s lead. Buonanotte lifted the ball into the area from a free kick, and Justin arrived to head it in. The ball had a slight deflection off Arsenal’s defense, taking away any chance for goalkeeper Raya to defend.
In the 52nd minute, Arsenal responded with Gabriel Magalhães. After a corner kick, the Brazilian defender jumped higher than Leicester’s defense and headed the ball, but goalkeeper Hermansen made a great save to prevent a third goal for the home team.
In the 57th minute, Arsenal almost scored the third goal. Saka penetrated the penalty area from the right and attempted to cross. The ball deflected and landed in the middle of the area. Trossard reached it before the rival defense and managed a shot nearly falling, but saw the ball hit the post and then roll out of play.
But those who don’t score, concede. And that’s what happened. Minutes after Arsenal hit the post, Leicester equalized at the Emirates. Ndidi lifted the ball to the far post, and James Justin arrived, hitting it first time, scoring a beautiful shot and netting a stunning goal: 2-2.
With 68 minutes on the clock, Hermansen made a spectacular save to deny Arsenal’s third goal. Havertz received the ball almost in the small area, managed to control it, and attempted a volley, but the rival goalkeeper saved.
In the 73rd minute, Arsenal wasted another golden opportunity to regain the lead. Hermansen made a bad pass, and Rice intercepted, serving Trossard inside the area. The Belgian found himself face to face with the goalkeeper, who redeemed himself with yet another great save.
In the final minutes of the match, Arsenal tried once again. After a corner kick to the far post, Calafiori rose to head it, but Hermansen appeared again and sent it out for a corner.
And in the 94th minute of the second half, the goal that sealed Arsenal’s victory finally came. From another corner to the far post, Trossard struck it into the middle of the area, and the ball hit Ndidi, ending up in the back of the net: 3-2.
In the last minute of the match, Arsenal scored a fourth goal. Gabriel Jesus took a shot at goal, and Hermansen gave a rebound. Sterling attempted to finish, and the ball came to Havertz at the far post, who simply pushed it into the net. The goal was initially disallowed, but after a VAR review, it was validated: 4-2.
See more Premier League results from this Saturday:
- Newcastle 1 x 1 Manchester City
- Chelsea 4 x 2 Brighton
- Brentford 1 x 1 West Ham
- Everton 2 x 1 Crystal Palace
- Nottingham Forest 0 x 1 Fulham