‘Ben White is better than him” – Five things Mikel Arteta learned as Arsenal’s dramatic late goals avoid Leicester trouble
Arsenal claimed a dramatic 4-2 win at the Emirates thanks to a late own goal from Leicester City midfielder Wilfried Ndidi and a tap in from Kai Haverz to move level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s side went in at the break two goals up thanks to strikes from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard with the game seemingly in hand. But a brace from James Justin, one of which was a stunning volley in the second half saw Leicester claw their way back into the contest.
After Leicester’s second, it was all Arsenal. However, Leicester shot stopper Mads Hermansen produced a number of heroic saves to thwart Arsenal.
However, in injury time, Arsenal finally managed to score a winner, with their third coming when the ball deflected off Ndidi into the net, and their fourth coming when Havertz poked home, to earn the Gunners three huge points at home.
Here are five things Mikel Arteta learned from their clash against Leicester City…
Nearly a missed opportunity
With Manchester City having drawn earlier in the day against Newcastle United at St James’ Park, the game against Leicester was the perfect opportunity for the Gunners to seize the initiative and move level at the top of the Premier League with Pep Guardiola’s side.
And after the opening 45 minutes of action at the Emirates, it seemed a knocking bet Arteta and co would do so. Arsenal were firmly in control of the contest against the Foxes, with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard seeing the Gunners go in at the break 2-0 up.
However, Arsenal conceded almost immediately after half-time when James Justin’s effort deflected off Kai Havertz past David Raya. And then just after the hour mark, Justin scored a stunning volley to level proceedings. It cannot be overstated just how different Arsenal looked in the second half. The first half saw them dominate the game, while in the second half, they were hurt in transition by a Leicester side who wanted to sit deep and counter.
Thankfully for Arsenal, they found their breakthrough late on when Ndidi’s own goal went in and they then wrapped up proceedings through Havertz despite nearly missing their opportunity to go top of the Premier League.
Showing their naivety
Arsenal basically had the game won in the first half, that’s how dominant they were. However, by allowing Leicester to score immediately after half-time, they gave the Foxes hope.
Steve Cooper’s side clawed their way back into the contest, displaying a fighting spirit that looked to have Arsenal shellshocked. While they won the game in the end, their were points where it looked as though they would not find a breakthrough. It will worry Arteta his side conceded twice in the fashion they did, but also give him confidence too after they found a way to win the game after it looked as though they had thrown away two points.
Lacking a clinical edge
While Arsenal did manage to score two goals through forwards Martinelli and Trossard in the first half, they should have put the game to bed in the opening 45. It was a reminder the Gunners probably still need a top level striker if they want to win the Premier League.
Had it not been for the heroics of Mads Hermansen in the Leicester net, Arsenal would have won the game comfortably. Instead, they had to rely on a late own goal and a tap-in from Havertz when the Foxes threw everyone forward for a late surge after conceding.
It seems weird to claim the Gunners need another forward in game they scored four (three really) goals, but had they stuck their chances away earlier, they wouldn’t have needed to let things go down to the wire at the end of the game.
Right to persist with Gabriel Martinelli
While we reckon the Gunners do need to sign another top class forward to bolster their attack, we would be remiss to point out just how good Gabriel Martinelli was against Leicester.
The Brazilian forward has not had the best time in front of goal so far this season, but managed to score his first of the campaign against the Foxes. He also assisted Leandro Trossard’s goal too and looked a threat through, vindicating Mikel Arteta’s decision to start him despite his poor form.
Kept Jamie Vardy quiet
He might not be the striker he once was, but at least Arsenal managed to keep Jamie Vardy quiet. The 37-year-old had previously tormented Arsenal over the years, having scored 11 goals against them in the past. However, on this occasion, he barely got a sniff.
