Arsenal secured a thrilling 4 – 2 victory over Leicester with two late dramatic goals in stoppage time, levelling their points with reigning champions Manchester City in second place.
After falling behind 2 – 0 in the first half, Leicester fought back thanks to a second-half brace from James Justin levelling the score at 2 – 2. Arsenal regained the lead in the fourth minute of extra time when Wilfred Ndidi inadvertently scored an own goal from a corner. Kai Havertz then sealed the win in the ninth minute of added time after a VAR check.
The first half belonged to Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli who opened the scoring by finishing off Jurrien Timber’s cross in the 20th minute before setting up Leandro Trossard for the second goal just before halftime. Leicester struggled to make an impact registering only one touch in Arsenal’s penalty area and failing to test goalkeeper David Raya.
The match turned early in the second half when Justin’s header took a deflection off Havertz to cut Arsenal’s lead to 2 – 1. From there, Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen emerged as a key player making crucial saves against Gabriel’s header and Ricardo Calafiori’s rebound while also denying Trossard’s shot that later on struck the post.
As Leicester levelled the match with Justin’s spectacular strike from a cross, Hermansen continued his impressive performance stopping attempts from Havertz and Trossard. Despite Arteta bringing on Raheem Sterling for a boast, it was youngster Ethan Nwaneri who nearly put the gunners ahead forcing a save from Hermansen.
After Arsenal squandered various chances, the pressure finally paid off when Trossard’s shot from Bukayo Saka’s corner kick deflected of Ndidi for the go-ahead goal. With Leicester pushing on for an equalizer, Havertz finished at the back post after Justin placed the ball into his path following a saved shot from substitute Gabriel Jesus.
