For Arsenal, the decisive moment had to come from a corner, and after the tumultuous week they had endured, it was fitting that Leandro Trossard would be the one to make the difference. The fallout from last Sunday’s explosive 2-2 draw at Manchester City had been intense, with Trossard’s second yellow card for kicking the ball away becoming a focal point. Here, he redeemed himself and rescued his team.
It seemed as though Arsenal would once again throw away two points from a winning position, a recurring theme this season. This, coupled with James Justin’s sensational second-half goalscoring performance and Mads Hermansen’s heroic goalkeeping, threatened to overshadow Arsenal’s dominance.
Arsenal’s first-half dominance, which included goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Trossard, appeared to be in vain, especially as they struggled to find a breakthrough in regulation time. But then, Trossard stepped up. With 94 minutes on the clock, Bukayo Saka delivered a deep corner, and there was Trossard, positioned beyond the far post, to guide a volley towards goal. The shot took a heavy deflection off Wilfred Ndidi, beating Hermansen, and the dubious goals panel would likely attribute it to an own goal. Yet, it was Trossard’s composure that made the difference.
Kai Havertz sealed a 4-2 victory for Arsenal at the very end, after a Justin clearance inadvertently hit him and went in. Mikel Arteta had all the answers, just about, and Arsenal could move level on points with City after their draw at Newcastle earlier in the day.
This week saw the gloves come off in Arsenal’s rivalry with City, with constant sniping leading to Pep Guardiola’s comment on Friday that if a war between the clubs was desired, then it would happen. Despite the cheers at the Emirates when City’s draw at Newcastle was announced, Arsenal’s focus remained on their own performance.
Leicester arrived in London without a league win but had been competitive in all their games, with Steve Cooper instilling his principles. Despite an early flicker from Justin, Arsenal’s intensity quickly made it clear that Leicester would struggle to escape their half. Arsenal’s pressure was relentless, with Saka and Martinelli particularly prominent.
Martinelli might have had a hat-trick inside 25 minutes, and his goal was set up by Saka and Jurrien Timber. Trossard’s goal, which followed Havertz’s earlier miss, seemed to seal the game for Arsenal. However, Leicester’s fighting spirit shone through in the second half with a stunning equaliser from Justin.
Arsenal pushed hard, but Hermansen’s reflexes were exceptional, making crucial saves. Leicester’s resistance was finally broken at the death, but it was a game that showcased both teams’ resilience and determination.
