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A disappointing 1-0 loss for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium means that the visitors, Leicester City, instead of the hosts, are in the top four of the Premier League.
Both teams started the night with nine points and there was little to choose between them in a game that was generally lacking in quality. However, it was Leicester who seemingly came to life in the final 20 minutes, winning at Arsenal for the first time since 1973 thanks to a header from substitute Jamie Vardy.
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Arsenal started the brighter of the two sides and had enough chances to take the lead before the break, Alexander Lacazette squandered several chances and even had a goal disallowed after several of his teammates were called offside. The Gunners ran out of steam and Leicester’s game plan seemed to work perfectly as Vardy scored the winning goal.
Positive
Arsenal brought the game to the visitors in the first half and if they had been more accurate on goal they could have had a dominant advantage at the break. Arsenal’s attacking play was incisive before the break, their deliveries from wide areas particularly impressive. Thomas Partey looked good in parts in his full Premier League debut.
Negative
It was a poor performance overall. Lacazette should have passed the Gunners before the break, and one has to wonder if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would have done better if he had played more centrally. Aubameyang was quiet all night, and Arsenal tend to run into trouble when they are off their game.
Administrator rating (out of 10)
5 – Arteta was mocked by Brendan Rodgers, and Gunners fans will continue to question his decision to play Lacazette centrally at Aubameyang’s expense. The Spaniard tried to inject some life into his team’s attack by introducing Nicolas Pepe and moving Aubameyang to the center, but it was too little, too late.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players submitted after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Bernd Leno, 6 – The German goalkeeper was about to get his team out of the worst possible start when he cleared James Maddison directly into a dangerous position. Fortunately, the Leicester midfielder was spared the blush. The Arsenal No. 1 felt comfortable after that, but there was little he could do to stop Vardy’s header.
DF Héctor Bellerin, 6 – The Spaniard’s skill in passing and passing in the final third was impressive, the 25-year-old always looking for the insightful pass. He forced Kasper Schmeichel to save with Arsenal’s first effort of the second half.
DF David Luiz, 6 – He enjoyed a comfortable first half for the Brazilian who, with Vardy on the bench, had all the time in the world in possession. He constantly sought to free Tierney or Bellerin in threatening positions. Unfortunately, he was forced to retire early in the second half with an apparent injury.
DF Gabriel, 5 – Every now and then it’s a waste of possession, but he has the knack of being in the right place at the right time.
DF Kieran Tierney, 7 years old The Scotsman was a positive attacking threat throughout, showing his excellent crossing ability as he delivered two accurate crosses for Lacazette in quick succession.
MF Xhaka Granite, 6 – The Swiss midfielder showed good passing in the attacking areas from the start. He was judged to have been interfering with play when Lacazette headed home from the start, which seemed like a tough decision even after the review. His influence diminished as the game progressed.
MF Thomas Partey, 6 years old – He rewarded his first outing and was an imposing presence in the middle of the park. He always sought possession of the defense, although he did not always get it.
MF Dani Ceballos, 5 – A typically tenacious performance, although he struggled to sway the game too much as he kept busy with Maddison and Youri Tielemans.
FW Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 5 – Playing wide right, he probably looked enviously at Lacazette’s chances. He had a quiet game and was often on the fringes of things, only really contributing a cross in the second half.
FW Alexandre Lacazette, 4 – The Frenchman should have scored at least one goal before the break. In fact, he found the net, only for his header to be ruled offside. However, his two subsequent chances should have been converted. At least he still has chances to score …
FW Bukayo Saka, 5 – After a lively start from the young man, he went in and out of the game. He could and should have done better when he was presented with a clear center volley opportunity from Bellerin shortly before the break.
Substitutes
DF Shkodran Mustafi, 5 – The German defender kept busy with the introduction of Jamie Vardy and was constantly under pressure with the ball at his feet.
FROM Nicolas Pepe, 5 – The Côte d’Ivoire international was called in to make an impact and sadly did not fulfill the mandate. He moved to the right but got little change on the Leicester defense.
MF Edward Nketiah, N / A – The young forward joined late in the game when Arsenal chased after a point, but could do little to influence the match.
