Valentine’s Day was certainly one of Arsenal’s biggest days of the season as they came up against title challengers and league leaders Leicester City, in a match which was being described as a cup final before hand.
The Gunners started off the match with all guns blazing and would have been disappointed to not have taken the lead. This disappointment would turn to disgust late in the first half after Leicester were awarded a controversial penalty following a collision between Nacho Monreal and Jamie Vardy. The England international scored the penalty, meaning Leicester went into the second half with a 1-0 lead.
Arsenal were given an advantage in the second half after Danny Simpson was given his second yellow card in five minutes, putting Leicester down to 10 men. Leicester’s formidable defence was finally broken when substitute Theo Walcott came on to equalise emphatically for Arsenal. The Gunners desperately pushed for a winner and it came through a Danny Welbeck header after Mesut Ozil’s free-kick in the 95th minute.
The match finished 2-1, giving Arsenal a real chance to become champions come May. Here are how the players rated against Leicester.
Petr Cech: 6.5/10
Cech was unable to gain three consecutive Premier League clean sheets, as he conceded a late first half penalty strike from Jamie Vardy. Besides this, he put in a good performance for the Gunners by making a couple of important saves, keeping Arsenal in the game.
Hector Bellerin: 6.5/10
Bellerin had a decent performance down the right hand side. His battling was a particular highlight. The Spaniard also had a part to play in the equaliser after providing the cross for Olivier Giroud, who assisted Walcott.
Laurent Koscielny : 6/10
Koscielny was unfortunately subbed off at half time due to a dead leg, but did have a solid first half.
Per Mertesacker: 6/10
Mertesacker started in place of the injured Gabriel, which worried many fans due to his lack of pace. However, the German’s reading of the game proved important and his pace wasn’t exploited as much people expected.
Nacho Monreal: 6/10
Nacho was the focal point in the first half, after being the player who conceded a controversial penalty following a colission with Jamie Vardy. Not the best of games from the Spaniard, but he did prevent the threat from Mahrez pretty well throughout.
Francis Coquelin: 6/10
Coquelin started his first Premier League game since November following his return from a knee injury. The tenacious midfielder worked hard to protect his full backs, however, his distribution was at times poor.
Aaron Ramsey: 6.5/10
Aaron Ramsey put in a good display for the Gunners today. His work rate was excellent, as well as his desire to win the ball. He would though be disappointed to not get on the score sheet after missing a good chance in the second half.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 7/10
The Ox was one of Arsenal’s best players as he gave Christian Fuchs all kinds of problems down the right hand side when given the ball. His crossing was also much improved but his teammates were unable to convert.
Mesut Ozil: 7/10
The German pulled a couple of extravagant flicks in the game, however, he was ineffective throughout the game, mainly because of the excellent N’Golo Kante, who controlled the game until the red card. Ozil did, however, provide the assist that won Arsenal the game with a well crossed free kick.
Alexis Sanchez: 6.5/10
Alexis was certainly a threat throughout the game and managed to cause Leicester a few problems. Despite this, he couldn’t provide what really mattered, which was a goal.
Olivier Giroud: 7.5/10 (Man of the Match)
Giroud’s hold up play was important for Arsenal and he gave the Gunners a huge advantage in the second half, after being victim to a challenge by Simpson which gave the Leicester man a second yellow card, putting Leicester down to 10 men. Giroud also managed to provide a similar assist to last week, however, it was Walcott who finished from the knock down this time.
Substitutes:
Calum Chambers: 7/10
Chambers was introduced at the start of the second and he had a really good game. His distribution was excellent aswell as his interceptions.
Theo Walcott: 7.5/10
Theo came on and changed the game for the Gunners as he grabbed the equaliser with a well-slotted half volley which keeps Arsenal in the title race.
Danny Welbeck: 7/10
Danny came on to make his first appearance of the first season and he marked it with a magnificent header to win the game for Arsenal.