Arsenal pulled off a thrilling 4-2 victory over Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium, scoring twice in stoppage time to deny the Foxes a hard-fought point. A 94th-minute own goal from Wilfred Ndidi and a close-range strike from Kai Havertz in the ninth minute of added time completed a dramatic turnaround, keeping Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
First-Half Dominance for Arsenal
The Gunners took control of the game early on, with Gabriel Martinelli steering home Jurrien Timber’s cross to give Arsenal a deserved lead in the 20th minute. Martinelli continued to torment Leicester’s defense, setting up Leandro Trossard for the second goal just before half-time, giving Arsenal a comfortable 2-0 advantage.
Leicester offered little threat in the first half, registering only one touch inside the Arsenal penalty area. However, their second-half response showed grit and determination.
Leicester’s Spirited Second-Half Comeback
Just over a minute into the second half, Leicester halved the deficit when James Justin’s header deflected off Havertz and into the net following a Facundo Buonanotte free-kick. The Foxes, reinvigorated by the goal, pressed forward, and Justin struck again with a stunning swerving volley from a Wilfred Ndidi cross, leveling the score at 2-2.
Arsenal, briefly rattled by Leicester’s resurgence, regained their composure and resumed their relentless attack. Leicester’s goalkeeper Mads Hermansen made several incredible saves to deny Havertz and Trossard, keeping the Foxes in contention.
Arsenal’s Stoppage-Time Heroics
Despite Hermansen’s heroic performance, Arsenal’s pressure finally paid off in stoppage time. Trossard’s late effort was deflected into the net by Ndidi for an own goal, restoring Arsenal’s lead. Just minutes later, Havertz pounced on a loose ball in the box to seal the victory, sending the Emirates crowd into raptures.
The win lifts Arsenal level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, with Liverpool poised to leapfrog them if they win their match against Wolves later in the day.
Gunners’ Relentless Pressure
Arsenal dominated the game with over 30 shots, 14 of which were on target, and they racked up 14 corners as they pushed for a winner. Bukayo Saka and Martinelli were constant threats, and despite Leicester’s second-half resurgence, Arsenal’s persistence eventually paid off.
The victory will serve as a significant morale boost for Mikel Arteta’s side, as they showed resilience and determination to secure all three points when the game seemed to be slipping away.
Painful Defeat but Positives for Leicester
Leicester manager Steve Cooper can take heart from his team’s spirited second-half comeback. James Justin’s two goals, including a spectacular volley, showcased Leicester’s ability to fight back against one of the league’s top teams. Mads Hermansen’s outstanding goalkeeping display was another bright spot, keeping Arsenal at bay until the final moments.
Despite the defeat, Leicester’s performance after the break will give their fans hope for the season ahead. Cooper, though frustrated with some of the refereeing decisions, will look to build on the positives from this match.
source – BBC