Leicester 2-0 Arsenal: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Foxes Dominate Underwhelming Gunners

Leicester returned to third place in the Premier League with a comfortable 2-0 victory over top four challengers Arsenal on Saturday, courtesy of goals from English pair Jamie Vardy and James Maddison.

The game started at a fast pace and the Foxes felt they should have had a penalty after only ten minutes when Caglar Soyuncu appeared to be pulled back in the box by Matteo Guendouzi, but VAR saw no need to overrule the on-field decision. Leicester continually pressed Arsenal high up the pitch, preying on the mistakes the away side made but spurning the opportunities that fell their way.

Both teams looked dangerous going forward and the first goal seemed absolutely crucial, but neither side were able to capitalise on the chances they created and the game entered the half-time break goalless. 

The second half started in much the same vein as the first, with Leicester dominating possession and rattling the woodwork through Wilfred Ndidi’s strike from just inside the box. Shortly after, Arsenal thought they had taken the lead against the run of play, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sweeping home a cushioned cross, but VAR supported the on-field offside decision.

Leicester’s dominance soon told, Jamie Vardy tucking home Youri Tielemans’ lovely ball and sending the King Power into a frenzy, returning Vardy to the top of the goalscoring charts.

Leicester soon drew blood again. This time Vardy turned provider, laying the ball off to James Maddison, who rifled his effort past Bernd Leno. No chance for the Arsenal keeper. The second goal was the final nail in the coffin for Arsenal, as the Foxes eased to the final whistle with their two-goal lead intact. 


LEICESTER

Key Talking Point

​Leicester started this one incredibly brightly, pressing Arsenal high up the pitch and forcing errors. Brendan Rodgers – who has been linked with a potential move to the Emirates – will have been pleased with the energy and commitment his players showed, continually creating half chances that seldom tested Leno.

The Foxes would have been feeling relatively positive about their first 45-minute performance but may have been worried that they would live to rue their missed opportunities, with nine shots going begging. 

FBL-ENG-PR-LEICESTER-ARSENAL

Leicester continued their endeavour at the beginning of the second half but looked rather toothless going forward, failing to create any clear goalscoring chances. But soon Leicester found their mojo, carving open the opposing defence with a lovely passing move which was calmly finished off by ​Vardy.

Leicester soon found a second and with it secured the three points. It was another impressive performance from the Foxes and it seems inevitable that Rodgers’ side will be playing in Europe next season.


Player Ratings

Starting XI: Schmeichel (6); Pereira (6), Evans (7), Soyuncu (7), Chilwell (6); Ndidi (7), Tielemans (7), Maddison (8*); Perez (6), Barnes (6), Vardy (7)

Substitutes: Gray (6), Praet (5)


STAR PLAYER – It really could have been either of the above, but James Maddison just edged it, putting in another stellar display for the Foxes.

James Maddison,Jamie Vardy

The Englishman scored a lovely second for Leicester and continually looked on the cusp of brilliance throughout the match. 

Gareth Southgate will certainly be taking notes…






ARSENAL

Key Talking Point 

​Arsenal are increasingly heading into these kind of occasions as underdogs, and it is easy to see why. The Gunners failed to establish control of the game early on, enabling the hosts to get a strong foothold with little resistance. However, Unai Emery’s side defended well out of possession, with their only defensive mistakes coming from when they attempted to play from back to front.  

With the attacking trident of ​Mesut Ozil, ​Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and ​Alexandre Lacazette, many Arsenal supporters will have been frustrated with the lack of quality in the final third as the visitors struggled to consistently open up the Leicester defence during the first 45 minutes.

Hector Bellerín

Arsenal still found themselves under the cosh in the second half, making the rare foray towards the opposition goal. But the Gunners carried on defending admirably, containing Leicester for the most part and denying the Foxes clear shots on goal. However, their defence soon caved, allowing Leicester far too much time and space in and around the penalty area and failing to pick up Jamie Vardy at the far post.

Arsenal soon fell to pieces and once Leicester scored a second, the game was all but over. Yet another underwhelming display from the Gunners with pressure hitting new heights for Unai Emery. The visiting supporters will not be too impressed with their side’s timid and lifeless display and will be thankful for a much needed international break.


Player Ratings

Starting XI: Leno (6); Bellerin (6), Chambers (5), Holding (5), Luiz (6), Kolasinac (5); Torreira (5), Guendouzi (6), Ozil (5); Lacazette (6), Aubameyang (6).

Substitutes: Pepe (5), Willock (N/A).


STAR PLAYER – It was another pretty dismal defeat for Arsenal. But the Gunners, rather surprisingly, defended well at moments in the game.

Jamie Vardy,David Luiz

David Luiz was the best of a pretty sorry bunch in yellow at the King Power.


Looking Ahead

Premier League action will be interrupted by the upcoming international break, but both sides return to action on 23 November.

Leicester face a trip southwards to take on ​Brighton, meanwhile, Arsenal play host to ​Southampton at the Emirates.

Let’

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