Arsenal vs Leicester: Instant Reaction

Thoughts at full time

Straight into it.

Headline: What a dumb, beautiful game

I was just about ready to prepare my self for a real downbeat start to the weekend. Arsenal played a very good first half jumping out to a nice 2-0 lead.

The second half started okay, and then had a couple mistakes maximally punished with a deflected goal from a set play and then one of the best goals you will see scored this season.

The Leicester keeper then decided that he was going to turn into David De Gea from 2017 and basically keep out every single shot Arsenal took.

In the end it took a goal that might end up as an own goal and then a deflected clearance for Arsenal to end up coming close to what they ‘deserved’ here but hey, 3 points is 3 points and this will go a long way to help making the stats look better.

It took Arsenal a few minutes to build into the game but once they did they started creating some openings. The first half was the Martinelli show who finally cashed in some of his good performances into end product with a goal and an assist.

I thought that might be the end of things as Arsenal went on for an easy win, maybe adding a couple more. That was not to be. Saliba fouled Jamie Vardy and they turned that into a deflected goal with a life line. Arsenal then had a couple big chances to restore the two goal margin that they couldn’t convert and Leicester caught Arsenal out of shape with James Justin putting a volley in the perfect spot, with some of the biggest swerve I have seen.

Just like that it was nervy.

Arsenal piled on the pressure but it was looking like it would be all for nothing. The big chances were finding the gloves of Mods Hermansen (13 saves) and a penalty shout was waved away.

Just as hope was running out, this dumb game gives you exactly what you need with a deflected Leandro Trossard shot turned in to put Arsenal in front.

The goal was fortunate, but it was no less than Arsenal deserved from the performance. Arsenal were camped in the Leicester final third and bombarded the goal with 37 shots.

What a change of emotion as it went from horrid dropped points to the relief of a 2 goal win and Arsenal catching Manchester City on points.

I love and hate this game.

Player Ratings and Stocks:

Stock Rising: Gabriel Martinelli

The guy needed a ball to just go in the back of the net and that is exactly what he got here. It wasn’t the cleanest goal but it was him finding a good position and turning it in to the corner to put Arsenal in front.