Arsenal produced a scintillating performance to beat Leicester City 2-0 at the King Power Stadium and extend their impressive unbeaten streak to nine games across all competitions.
Mikel Arteta fielded the same team that beat Aston Villa last week, with Ben White and Emile Smith Rowe retaining their spots in the line-up from the mid-week clash against Leeds United.
The visitors yet again started the game brightly and their relentless pressure paid off in the fifth minute when Gabriel headed the ball into the top corner. Bukayo curled in a good cross from the corner, which was finely headed by the Brazilian past a helpless Kasper Schmeichel.
The Gunners quickly doubled their advantage courtesy of a goal from Smith Rowe. The hosts succumbed to the press and failed to clear the ball from their box. Smith Rowe pounced on the ball and struck it home from close-range.
The Foxes who grew into the game in the first half mustered a couple of chances only to be denied brilliantly by Aaron Ramsdale on both occasions. Leicester were a much-improved team in the second half, but the north Londoners held on to their two-goal lead.
Here are four talking points from the game:
1. Heroic performance from Ramsdale:
The Englishman continues to prove his doubters wrong every week. He produced an exceptional save to deny James Maddison whose free-kick was destined for the top corner. Jonny Evans reacted to the rebound, only to be denied by a combination of the post and the keeper’s leg.
He thwarted the home team in the second half and was on his toes when called into action. His distribution was also excellent throughout the game. This performance has further cemented his place in between the sticks.
2. Young guns shine again:
Arsenal’s youngsters have been a shining light for a long time. The academy graduates, Bukayo Saka and Smith Rowe were once again pivotal in the Gunners’ victory as Saka set up the first goal while Smith Rowe scored the second goal.
The north London club’s young defensive unit played their part to earn a hard-fought clean sheet. Gabriel and White have formed a solid pair at the back. Nuno Tavares put in a wonderful shift in the absence of Kieran Tierney, and Takehiro Tomiyasu continues to build on the brilliant start to life he has enjoyed at North London.
3.Auba-Laca duo is back:
For two weeks in a row, Mikel Arteta has started Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette together. Although Lacazette is a striker on ‘paper’, the Frenchman usually drops deep into the midfield almost like a playmaker to connect the defense and the attack.
Aubameyang thrives off the space behind the defenders, which is made possible by Lacazette’s positioning. This strategy seems to have worked out well, and the manager is likely to keep his faith in the pair over the coming weeks.
4. Top six finish on the radar:
Since the miserable start to the campaign, Arsenal have been a spirited side. The courage and determination shown by the team has been encouraging to watch. Although it is still early days in the Premier League, the club are on the right track.
Read More: Arsenal legend Ray Parlour hails Ben White and Gabriel
