With 95 minutes on the clock, it looked like Arsenal were about to drop two precious points, and hand 10-men Leicester a point that would feel like three for them. But up stepped Danny Welbeck, his first appearance for the Gunners since April. It was effectively the last kick of the game, as Mesut Ozil stood over a free kick, 20 seconds over the additional four minutes added on. His pinpoint cross was glanced in brilliantly by Welbeck to cue jubilant scenes at the Emirates, as it was evident how big of a goal this was in the context of both team’s seasons.
The game was played at a frantic pace, and credit goes to both teams as they produced arguably one of the games of the season. The first half was an even affair, as both teams had their chances, with Alexis Sanchez having Arsenal’s clearest chance, which was blocked by Wes Morgan. Whilst Jamie Vardy had a header fantastically saved by Petr Cech, and it was clear that Leicester were here for the three points. Though the big moment of the half came just before the interval, as Leicester broke brilliantly through the energetic N’Golo Kante, which led to Vardy being tripped in the box by Nacho Monreal, to give the Foxes a chance from the spot right on the break. The England international took and dispatched the penalty past Cech to give the Foxes a massive lead.
Arsenal started the second half in much better fashion, and early on came the games second big talking point as minutes after picking up a yellow card, Danny Simpson then received a second after pulling down Olivier Giroud. Leicester had to play the remaining half an hour with 10 men, and it was from that point that Arsenal started to believe. Arsene Wenger brought Theo Walcott on from the bench, and this was his chance to prove a point and he did so. With twenty minutes left, Hector Bellerin’s cross was nodded down by Giroud into the path of the substitute, who finished brilliantly past Kasper Schmeichel to give Arsenal a huge equaliser in the game.
Leicester well and truly had their backs to the wall, it was non-stop attacking from Arsenal as they pushed on for the winner in the final 20 minutes, with the introduction of Welbeck in the last 10 minutes. But it was looking to be one of those afternoons for Arsenal as they squandered a host of chances. Giroud looked like he had won it for Arsenal with minutes remaining, but another fantastic save from Schmeichel looked like it was going to give the leaders a vital point. But when Arsenal’s bottle had been questioned so many times in recent months, they delivered the biggest of responses. Leicester defender Marcin Wasilewski, needlessly clattered into Monreal to give Arsenal one more chance from a free kick in the last few seconds. The Gunners needed Ozil to assist now more than ever, and what he produced was a simply stunning delivery that breached the brilliant Leicester defence. The German’s delivery was flicked in precisely by of all people, Welbeck, who had the last say on his return.
The winner sparked wild scenes of emotion from both the fans and the players, as they both knew how big of a goal this was in their season. Arsenal cut the gap to just two points behind Leicester. What a difference a week can make, as the Gunners have well and truly dug themselves back into this thrilling title race.
One negative point for Arsenal was the loss of Laurent Koscielny at half-time, through a dead leg. But he should be available for next weekend’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Hull City at the Emirates. Arsenal’s next test in the league is a trip to Old Trafford in a fortnight’s time, but after Sunday afternoon, the Gunners should be soaring with confidence that this could finally be their year.
