Arsenal bounced back with a convincing 4-2 win over Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners asserted their dominance in the first half, taking the lead when Jurriën Timber delivered a low cross to Gabriel Martinelli, who scored his first Premier League goal of the season with a precise finish. Martinelli remained a key player in Arsenal’s attack, assisting Leandro Trossard for the team’s second goal before halftime.
With Arsenal enjoying 76% possession by the end of the first half, manager Mikel Arteta appeared at ease. However, Leicester City struck back shortly after the break, with James Justin’s shot deflecting off Kai Havertz following a free kick from Facundo Buonanotte.
Leicester’s goalkeeper Mads Hermansen made several crucial saves to keep his side in contention, denying efforts from Gabriel Magalhães and Trossard. Justin eventually equalized with a spectacular goal that hit the post and went in, before Hermansen denied Declan Rice from close range after a poor back pass.
As Arsenal pushed for a late winner, Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri were brought on. Despite Hermansen’s strong performance, Trossard’s deflected goal in the 94th minute finally gave Arsenal the lead back, with Havertz adding a final goal shortly thereafter to secure the victory.
With this win, Arsenal now shares the same points as Manchester City. They showcased their ability to secure results late in matches and highlighted their effectiveness in set-piece situations. Bukayo Saka’s nearly flawless display was also a notable highlight.
Despite some lapses in concentration, particularly with Calafiori’s risks that could have led to a yellow card, the performance was largely convincing.
Mikel Arteta received a rating of 7 for his management, having created ample opportunities and handling a challenging match, despite some critical moments leading to conceding goals.
Player ratings showcased Gabriel Martinelli as the standout performer with an 8, followed closely by Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka, each receiving an 8 and a 9 respectively, indicating their significant contributions to the match.