Arsenal Player Ratings: Leicester City (H)
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Arsenal’s winning run came to a halt when they played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners played the last 15 minutes of this game with 10 men after Eddie Nketiah was sent off.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Jamie Vardy were the scorers for both teams, who each had chances to score more goals in a finely poised game.
After a fairly open start to the match, Aubameyang opened the scoring for the home side in the 21st minute with a neat finish after an intelligent ball across the six-yard box from Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal had the chance to double their lead before half-time when Alexandre Lacazette popped up with a shot. However, Kasper Schmeichel came up with a stunning save.
15 minutes from time, Nketiah, who came on moments earlier, mistimed his challenge on James Justin and VAR deemed it as a dangerous challenge and he was shown a red card.
A few minutes after that, Demarai Gray put in an enticing ball for Vardy to run onto and equalise for the Foxes.
All in all, it was an entertaining game with both teams fighting for the result.
Here’s how we rated the Arsenal players:
Emiliano Martinez - 6
The keeper made one good save in the first half to deny Kelechi Iheanacho. Other than that, he was sharp in other moments and couldn’t have done much to save the Vardy goal.
Shkodran Mustafi - 6
Mustafi defended well apart from one moment where he lost Vardy but came back to make an important block. He was at the end of a nasty kick out from the Leicester striker. The latter was perhaps a bit lucky to stay on the pitch after that.
David Luiz - 5
He was caught when Iheanacho in the first half only for the goal to be ruled out due to offside. Had a few good moments and a few iffy moments too. Still not completely secure at the back.
Sead Kolasinac - 6
Apart from one or two hairy moments, Kolasinac did well in that wide centre-back position. He is settling in well there.
Hector Bellerin - 7
A much-better performance from the vice-captain, who went forward and created some good chances. He tracked back and did his defensive duties well too.
Dani Ceballos - 8
Ceballos’ vision to find out Saka for the Aubameyang goal was impeccable. The Spaniard was very good on the ball and covered the ground exceptionally off the ball. He is fast becoming an undroppable player.
Subbed off later on.
Granit Xhaka - 7
Another solid and accomplished performance in midfield from the former captain. His upturn in form under Arteta has been a thing to behold for the Arsenal fans who turned against him previously.
Kieran Tierney - 7
Went forward with every invitation and produced some good deliveries into the box. Almost scored a beauty with a fierce shot.
The Scotsman’s one-on-one defending was spot on most of the time too.
Bukayo Saka - 8
The skill to go past Jonny Evans and pick out Aubameyang for the goal was exceptional. He combined well with Lacazette after that and looked dangerous on the ball.
Subbed off in the second half.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 8
The captain was in the right place at the right time to score the goal and looked sharp throughout the game. His position as an inside forward is suiting his game very well. Subbed off later on.
Alexandre Lacazette - 5
Should have scored with a couple of chances in the first half and could have done better when he was caught offside with a set-piece chance in the second half. Had a hit-and-miss game overall.
Subbed off after the hour mark.
(SUB) Eddie Nketiah - 0
Came on and couldn’t even last five minutes when his dangerous challenge had him sent off. Zero touches of the ball and a red card!
(SUB) Joe Willock - 4
Came on and had to track back with the late onslaught from Leicester.
(SUB) Lucas Torreira - 4
Gained some valuable minutes as he looks to return to match fitness.
(SUB) Ainsley Maitland-Niles- N/A
Came on in added time for defensive cover.
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