Arsenal Starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Partey, Trossard, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
Leicester Starting XI: Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen; Winks, Skipp, Buonanotte, Ndidi, Mavididi; Vardy.
Match Officials:
Referee: Sam Barrott.
Assistants: Scott Ledger, Wade Smith. Fourth official: Dean Whitestone.
VAR: Paul Tierney.
Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis.
Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Saturday 28th September 2024
KO: 15:00 (UK)
We return again at the Emirates, as today we face Leicester in the Premier League. Arteta played a rotated squad on Wednesday night against Bolton involving many youngsters, so today he may also be looking to give players like Nwaneri some minutes against a weaker opposition.
Leicester have had a mediocre start to the season, with 3 draws and 2 defeats, however, they have some goal threat through Mavididi, who has scored two goals this season.
Raya has returned to the starting XI with some injury concerns, however, Ben White this time has been left out of the squad.
Vardy kicked us off in North London. We held most of the possession for the first few moments, and we got our first half chance, as Martinelli was almost put through however, Hermansen was there to sweep up.
Leicester then showed their effectiveness in the final third, as some good play allowed Buonanotte to get a shot off, however his shot was weak and was blocked by Calafiori. A few minutes later, Martinelli went down after a strong challenge from Oliver Skipp but he was able to get back on his feet. From the freekick, which we played short, Martinelli’s deflected cross went out for a corner. Rice whipped the ball in, as his ball was headed away by Kristiansen. We were able to recycle the ball in the Leicester half however, the kept their solid shape and nothing came of it.
We began to increase the tempo was Saka crossed into Havertz who was free, but Faes got back to clear. Our first shot on target then came, as Saka cut inside and fired a shot straight at Hermansen. The ball then came to Saka who played the ball to Martinelli who blazed over. Finally, we broke the deadlock as some good play from Timber and Saka allowed Martinelli to finish neatly on the turn.
Minutes later , Vardy was given a yellow by the referee. Again, we kept the intensity high as we won a corner which was then cleared by Leicester. We then won a free kick which was hit low and hard by Rice. The ball fell to Calafiori whose effort was straight at Hermansen.
Straight after, we won the ball back as Rice set up Martinelli whose effort was brilliantly stopped by Hermansen. As we kept the Foxes contained in their half, Ndidi was shown a yellow card for a foul. Our wide players were causing problems for Leicester as Martinelli crossed in but the ball was cleared.
We then created a chance as Trossard made his way to the by-line and chipped the ball into Havertz whose header just went wide of the post. Our shots kept on flying at Hermansen however, he stood strong in the Leicester net. We still pushed on however, we couldn’t find the breakthrough as two minutes were added. On the brink of half-time, we grabbed our second as Martinelli rolled the ball across to Trossard who slotted home. The referee then blew the half-time whistle.
Half time views:
A good performance especially from our attack to put us 2 up. However, I still think that we could be more clinical infront of goal, even though Hermansen has been performing very well.
For me, no changes need to made and Arteta will be pleased with his players. Hopefully we can keep composed and break Leicester down to finish the game off.
We kicked the second half off and a few moments in, Leicester were awarded a free kick and Saliba was booked. Buonanotte stepped up and swung the ball into James Justin whose glancing header fired into the back of the net. Another two bookings were then given out in a matter of minutes as Calafiori and then Skipp were both shown yellows.
We were then able to get our most dangerous asset, a corner. Saka crossed the ball in and again Gabriel headed on target however, Hermansen smacked it away brilliantly to Timber whose rebound was off target. Again, we attacked as Saka fired another effort by the near post which was saved by Hermansen with his feet.
Again Timber and Saka played a nice combination as Bukayo shot into the side netting. Chance after chance as we hit the post after a loose ball fell to Trossard whose poked effort hit the upright. Leicester made a rare passage of play as Buonanotte smashed his effort just wide.
Out of nowhere, Ndidi whipped a ball towards the back of the box where again, was Justin whose amazing volleyed effort rattled against the post and went in.
Leicester stayed persistent as Buonanotte had another effort saved by Raya. A few minutes later, we managed to grab a corner which was headed down by Calafiori to Trossard whose effort deflected out for a corner. The resulting corner was cleared by Ndidi. We continued to push on as Saka’s blocked shot fell to Havertz whose shot looked to be going in, but was hooked away amazingly by Hermansen.
Buonanotte was then booked for asking for Calafiori to receive a second yellow. Another attempt from far out by Rice was then easily held by Hermansen. Arteta then made his first substitution as Martinelli was replaced by Sterling. Hermansen then made another save however, he then played a loose ball to Winks who loses out to Rice. Rice then played the ball to Trossard whose shot was beaten away by the relieved Hermansen.
Ethan Nwaneri was then given his chance as he replaced Partey. Leicester had begun to time waste and see the game out for a draw. They then made a substitution of their own with Buonanotte being replaced by Jordan Ayew. Nwaneri had his first action of the game as he forced another stop from Hermansen.
Again, we had a corner as Calafioris header which was swung in by Saka, was tipped over the bar by Hermansen. Leicester then made a double substitution as Skipp was replaced by El Khannouss and Mavididi was replaced by Decordova-Reid. 7 minutes were then added as we pushed on. Minutes later, we were able to get a corner, which was swung in and met at the back post by Trossard who side footed the ball into the box as it ricocheted off of Ndidi and into the net.
As play restarted, we kept on going as Saka managed to beat Kristiansen however, his cross was deflected out for a corner. We then made a substitution with Trossard being replaced by Jesus aswell as Leicester making a double change with Ndidi coming off for Edouard and Okoli coming off for Fatawu.
We then made another breakthrough as Jesus’s shot was spilled by Hermansen as a Leicester player poked the ball against Havertz abd went in. The goal was originally called offside by the officials , however after a VAR check it was awarded. As Leicester looked down and out, the referee then blew the full time whistle.
Full time views:
A very nervy and thrilling game today as we stay unbeaten. Leicester battled hard in the second half and did brilliantly to keep it level until the last moments.
I think that our character helped us get the win as we never gave up and again capitalised on a corner. We had an xG of 4.09 whilst Leicester only had an xG of 0.27 showing how difficult it was to get past Hermansen.
Anyways, onwards and upwards as we look to play our first Champions League game at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
COYG
Hudson
