It was the newcomer Leicester who started the meeting energetically and were close to a really sharp goal chance. After just over five minutes of play, the experienced Jamie Vardy found an onrushing James Justin on the right wing. But the full-back’s shot attempt was blocked by Riccardo Calafiori.
But after that half-chance, Arsenal took command. The London side parked outside Leicester’s penalty area and created their first real good chance after a quarter played. Bukayo Saka drove the ball into the pitch himself and finished from distance. But Hermansen saved without a problem.
– Leicester are parked outside their penalty area, says Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz.
Shortly thereafter came the next situation for the home team. Saka found Martinelli who was given an open position on the left in the penalty area. But the brass took a little too long to finish and the Leicster defenders got there. When the finish did come, it went high over the bar.
But Martinelli would take revenge.
In the 20th minute, fullback Jurien Timber found the ball with a cross. And this time he made no mistake and slotted in 1-0 behind the Leicester goalkeeper.
– A nice ending. It’s a good post from Timber but there was a lot left to do for Martinelli. 1-0 was hanging in the air, says former Everton winger Pat Nevin in the BBC.
However, Leicester were not entirely satisfied with the situation leading up to the goal. Steve Cooper protested.
– He (Steve Cooper) scolds the fourth official. He thought Vardy was brought down by Saliba just before the goal, says Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz.
But the coach was not heard and the goal was approved.
The lead goal seemed to give Martinelli good confidence because soon after he came forward on his left wing again. But this time Hermansen saved the ending.
Arsenal continued to press Leicester down in their own penalty area.
And just before the end of the first half came the payoff. Gabriel Martinelli found Leandro Trossard with a cross from the left. There, the Belgian angled the ball into the far part of the box via the post and 2-0 was a fact.
– “The Foxes” have barely been outside their own half and only had one shot on target. David Raya has had nothing to do, Sam Blitz sums up the first half.
But Raya would have to score immediately in the second half.
Because already in the 47th minute, the away team received a free kick in the offensive half of the field. Facundo Buonanotte sent it into the penalty area where James Justin spliced the ball who then took on Kai Havertz and set up Raya in the goal. Reduced to 2-1 and a tasty start to the second half for Leicester.
Immediately after the reduction, Arsenal took control of the game again. The London team, who have been dangerous from corners this season, created a double chance via just one corner. First Saliba reached the highest but Hermansen saved the attempt. Then Calafiori was first on the return but then the Dane stood in the way again.
And Arsenal continued to create chances. First, Saka drove the ball but was stopped by defenders. The ball then bounced to Trossard who shot directly, but the ball hit the post and out.
Hermansen keeps Leicester in the match. He may even have had a hand in that Trossard shot, says Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz.
But despite the Arsenal pressure, it was instead Leicester who would score the next goal. And once again it was James Justin who scored the goal. The full-back met a cross from Ndidi and his direct shot was beautiful and unreachable for Raya via the post.
– Justin will never have a better ball hit in his life! What will Arteta and Arsenal do now? They have to gather themselves, says Sam Blitz after the equalizer.
Arsenal then took up the hunt for a lead goal, often stopped by Hermansen in the goal though.
– Just now he took Nwaneri’s long shot and now a brilliant save that prevents Calafiori. Arteta looks up at the sky. He doesn’t understand how there aren’t goals there, says Sam Blitz in Sky Sports.
But Arsenal would have the last word. In the fifth additional minute, the team arranged another corner. It hit the far post where Trossard fired straight. The ball then went in behind Hermansen via the Leicester defence.
– Another corner comes to Arsenal’s rescue. Emirates is boiling, says Sam Blitz.
– What a purchase Leandro Trossard was. Worth every penny. A perfect day, said Martin Keown according to the BBC.
Before the match ended, Kai Havertz managed to set the final score at 4-2
Startelvor:
Arsenal: Raya – Timber, Saliba, Magalhães, Calafiori – Rice, Partey – Trossard, Saka, Martinelli – Havertz.
Leicester: Hermansen – Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen – Winks – Skipp, Winks – Buonanotte, Ndidi, Mavdidi – Vardy
