“He deserved the Man of the Match more than Trossard… He’s my own Man of the Match”: Mikel Arteta names his Man of the Match against Leicester City
Mikel Arteta declared on Friday he didn’t want Arsenal to be on YouTube “for doing something silly”.
But when James Justin fired home a stunning volley in off the post to drag Leicester level – the Gunners’ second-half collapse was undoubtedly going viral.
However, last week’s villain, Leandro Trossard, then ensured he was this week’s hero as the Belgian came in clutch deep into stoppage time by forcing Arsenal in front – via Wilfred Ndidi – to avenge last Sunday’s red card at Manchester City.
And even though there was still time for Kai Havertz to add gloss to the scoreline, make no mistake, this pulsating victory was nowhere near as straightforward as it seemed.
You also had to feel for Steve Cooper, who was lambasted by his own supporters during Leicester’s midweek Carabao Cup win at Walsall, because he nearly inspired a statement comeback and result that would have shaken up the title race. Instead, the Foxes remain winless, while Arsenal ensured they capitalised on Manchester City’s lunch-time slip up at Newcastle to go level with their rivals on 14 points.
They were ahead inside 20 minutes when Bukayo Saka’s slick reverse ball found Jurrien Timber, whose cutback was clinically swept home by Gabriel Martinelli for his first goal since March when the Gunners ran riot at Sheffield United.
Leicester were furious, however, as seasoned skipper Jamie Vardy was incensed he’d been fouled during a competitive grapple with William Saliba. The hosts’ relentless pressure eventually paid dividends just before the interval when Trossard slotted home a well-worked second.
This time Martinelli, who was razor sharp throughout, turned provider for the ex-Brighton man. If by that point the Gunners thought they were home and dry, they were quickly proven wrong following a sobering and angering start to the second half.
Facundo Buonanotte’s inviting free-kick was directed towards goal by the head of Justin, who also missed a notable, early chance at 0-0, and David Raya was wrong-footed by a cruel deflection off Havertz.
Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori both went close with headers before Trossard rattled the post and just when an Arsenal third began to look inevitable – Leicester issued a sucker punch on the break.
Wilfred Ndidi’s deep cross was hit flush on the volley by defender Justin, who displayed incredible technique to swerve his strike in off the post for his second of the afternoon.
Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen would finish the match with an astonishing 13 saves – just one short of matching David de Gea’s top-flight record for most in a match.
But the Dane’s resistance was eventually broken by Trossard in the 94th minute following Saka’s corner as the ball somehow squirmed in off Ndidi and through Hermansen.
