Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City – Match Report

Date: Saturday, 28 September 2024
Kick Off: 19:30
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Attendance: 60,323
Referee: Samuel Barrott

Arsenal F.C. hosted Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium for a thrilling Premier League clash. Both teams entered this game with different aspirations: Arsenal chasing a place at the top of the table, and Leicester trying to find consistency in a challenging season. The atmosphere was electric, and the game was poised to deliver. With Arsenal looking to keep pace with the league leaders and Leicester eager to escape the lower half of the table, the stakes were high.

Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City Head-to-Head

Arsenal had a commanding home record against Leicester, often dominating in recent seasons. Leicester, under new management from Steve Cooper, was determined to break that cycle. Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, was known for high possession and pressing, while Leicester relied on quick counter-attacks, primarily through Jamie Vardy and their wingbacks.

Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City Lineups

Here are the Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City lineups today (Sep 28, 2024)

Arsenal (4-4-2):

• GK: David Raya
• RB: Jurriën Timber (Assist 20′)
• CB: William Saliba (Yellow Card 46′)
• CB: Gabriel Magalhães
• LB: Riccardo Calafiori (Yellow Card 49′)
• RM: Bukayo Saka
• CM: Thomas Partey (85’ Substituted)
• CM: Declan Rice
• LM: Gabriel Martinelli (Goal 20′, Assist 45+1′)
• ST: Leandro Trossard (Goal 45+1′)
• ST: Kai Havertz (Goal 90+9′)

Substitutes:

• Gabriel Jesus (90+8′ Substituted)
• Raheem Sterling (74’ Substituted)
• Ethan Nwaneri (85′ Substituted)

Leicester City (4-3-3):

• GK: Mads Hermansen
• RB: James Justin (Goals 47′, 63′)
• CB: Caleb Okoli (90+8′ Substituted)
• CB: Wout Faes
• LB: Victor Kristiansen
• CM: Wilfred Ndidi (Assist 63′, Own Goal 90+4′)
• CM: Harry Winks
• CM: Oliver Skipp (Yellow Card 50′)
• RW: Stephy Mavididi (90+1′ Substituted)
• LW: Facundo Buonanotte (Assist 47′)
• ST: Jamie Vardy (Yellow Card 20′)

Substitutes:

• Abdul Fatawu (90+8′ Substituted)
• Odsonne Édouard (90+8′ Substituted)
• Bobby De Cordova-Reid (90+1′ Substituted)

Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City Match Summary

Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City First Half

Arsenal started the game with intensity, pushing Leicester City deep into their half. The home side controlled possession and constantly pressed for an early breakthrough. Their efforts paid off in the 20th minute when Gabriel Martinelli latched onto a perfectly placed cross from Jurriën Timber, finishing coolly to give Arsenal a deserved lead.

Arsenal doubled their advantage just before the half-time whistle. In the 45+1’ minute, Martinelli turned provider, laying the ball for Leandro Trossard, who slotted home with precision to send the Emirates crowd into raptures.

• Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City Half Time Score: Arsenal 2-0 Leicester City

Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City Second Half

Leicester emerged from the break with renewed vigor. Within two minutes of the restart, James Justin headed in from a pinpoint cross by Facundo Buonanotte to halve the deficit and stun the home fans. This early second-half goal gave Leicester confidence, and they pushed forward relentlessly.

In the 63rd minute, Justin struck again, this time with a superb volley from a Wilfred Ndidi cross, leveling the scoreline at 2-2. Arsenal’s once comfortable lead had evaporated, and they were suddenly on the back foot.

Arsenal, however, didn’t relent. They continued to pile on the pressure, creating multiple chances, but Mads Hermansen, Leicester’s goalkeeper, made crucial saves to keep the visitors in the game.

In the dying minutes, Leicester’s resilience finally broke. In the 90+4’ minute, Wilfred Ndidi scored an unfortunate own goal while attempting to clear Trossard’s shot, restoring Arsenal’s lead. But the drama wasn’t over yet. Deep into stoppage time, Kai Havertz added a fourth, capitalizing on a VAR-reviewed decision to seal the victory for the Gunners.

• Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City Full Time Score: Arsenal 4-2 Leicester City

Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City Stats

Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City Timeline

• 20′ – Goal Arsenal! Gabriel Martinelli opens the scoring with a precise right-footed shot from the center of the box, assisted by Timber’s cross. (Arsenal 1-0 Leicester)
• 45+1′ – Goal Arsenal! Leandro Trossard doubles the lead with a clinical finish after Martinelli’s pullback. (Arsenal 2-0 Leicester)
• 47′ – Goal Leicester! James Justin heads home Buonanotte’s cross to bring Leicester back into the match. (Arsenal 2-1 Leicester)
• 63′ – Goal Leicester! James Justin scores again with a stunning volley, assisted by Ndidi. (Arsenal 2-2 Leicester)
• 90+4′ – Own Goal Leicester! Wilfred Ndidi inadvertently turns the ball into his own net after trying to clear Trossard’s effort. (Arsenal 3-2 Leicester)
• 90+9′ – Goal Arsenal! Kai Havertz seals the victory with a close-range finish, confirmed after a VAR check. (Arsenal 4-2 Leicester)

Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City Post-Match Analysis

Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City Impact on the Points Table

With this victory, Arsenal moved to 14 points, keeping pace with Manchester City but still one point behind league leaders Liverpool. Leicester, despite their strong second-half performance, remained in 16th place, hovering above the relegation zone.

Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City Player Achievements

• Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard were instrumental in the first half, with both contributing to goals and assists.
• James Justin’s two-goal effort was commendable, showing his threat going forward.
• Kai Havertz‘s late goal added a vital cushion for the Gunners.

Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City Man of the Match

Leandro Trossard was named the Man of the Match for his overall contribution, scoring and assisting, as well as being a constant threat in attack.

This thrilling contest between Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City showcased resilience and determination from both teams. Arsenal’s persistence paid off in the final minutes, while Leicester showed they can compete against the Premier League’s elite. Despite the loss, Leicester will take positives from their second-half comeback, while Arsenal reaffirmed their title credentials with this dramatic 4-2 victory.

FAQs

1. Who scored the goals for Arsenal in the Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City match?
   • Gabriel Martinelli (20′), Leandro Trossard (45+1′), Wilfred Ndidi (Own Goal 90+4′), and Kai Havertz (90+9′).
2. How did James Justin perform in the Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City match?
   • James Justin scored two goals in the second half, leading Leicester’s comeback effort.
3. What was the key turning point in the Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City match?
   • The key turning point was Wilfred Ndidi’s own goal in the 90+4′ minute, which gave Arsenal a crucial lead during stoppage time.
4. Who was the Man of the Match in the Arsenal F.C. vs Leicester City match?
   • Leandro Trossard was named the Man of the Match for his goal, assist, and overall performance.