Arsenal deserved all 3 points to climb the league table and pull away from a congested pack looking to earn a European spot.
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Arsenal beat Leicester City 2-0 on Saturday to continue their recent impressive form. Gabriel headed the Gunners into an early lead, sending a corner inside the far post. However, it was the visitors who remained the more vibrant, adventurous and confident in possession. Emile Smith Rowe then sent a first-time finish in for the second inside 20 minutes, before the Foxes finally clicked into gear and forced Aaron Ramsdale into two great saves before the break. The Gunners had to show their defensive mettle in the second half as they repelled an aggressive Leicester attack with Ramsdale the standout performer at the back. Overall, Arsenal deserved all 3 points to climb the league table and pull away from a congested pack looking to earn a European spot.
A huge team performance ?
A clean sheet away from home ?
And our unbeaten run continues ?
? 0-2 ? (FT)#LEIARS pic.twitter.com/jChVWfORsN
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 30, 2021
Mikel Arteta, speaking to BT Sport after the match, said, “I was really happy against a top team. The way we played the first half, the way we had to suffer, and how we managed the game in the last 20 minutes. I am really happy. We started the game really well. We knew they would get at us in the second half, they created issues. But we modified a few things and got control back in the game. We need to carry on. We are still not where we want to be. There are a lot of positives, but there are things to improve.”
The damage was done after 18 minutes, thanks to goals from Gabriel and Emile Smith Rowe. Leicester came back at the visitors, but Gunners’ keeper Aaron Ramsdale was on top of his game, and there was no way back into the match.
In the 5th minute of the match, a corner was whipped in hard from the right by Saka, it skimmed off the head of Vardy and went on to Gabriel, who guided his header across Peter Schmeichel which flew into the top left corner at pace.
In the 18th minute things turned too easy for Arsenal as Saka glided down the right, after he was sent into space by Partey. He made his way all the way to the box, then rolled across to tee up Lacazette. However, his shot was blocked and the rebound fell to Smith Rowe, who was running into the box. He met the loose ball first time and slammed it past Schmeichel and into the centre of the goal giving the Gunners a much deserved two goal cushion.
After the defeat, Brendon Rodgers was left frustrated with the start their team got off to. Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Rodgers expressed his frustration.
“It was an awful start to the game. We were so passive and lacked energy in our pressing. We made it far too easy. We can defend both goals better. The first one, we were disappointed with a referee. It was a foul. But we should do better. The second we gave away possession and we can do better. Two really soft goals. The keeper has made a great save. We changed the system, and in the second half we were much the better team. The keeper makes some great saves, and then you rue the start. Apart from that, Kasper didn’t have too much to do.”
Next up for the Gunners is Watford at the Emirates stadium on the 7th November, while Leicester face Spartak Moscow in their crucial Europa League clash on 5th Novemeber.
