An unbelievable performance from Aaron Ramsdale helped Arsenal to a vital 2-0 win against Leicester City in the early kick-off. First-half goals from Gabriel and Emile Smith-Rowe were ultimately the difference for the Gunners who defended brilliantly in the second half to see out the win.
The Foxes took far too long to get going and left themselves with too much to do after conceding twice within 18 minutes. However, Brendan Rodgers will be left scratching his head as to how his side didn’t get on the scoresheet as they turned in a much-improved performance after the half-time break.
Arsenal once again showed their proficiency from set pieces as Gabriel met an inviting Bukayo Saka corner and directed it beyond Kasper Schmeichel into the far corner. 12 minutes later, they managed to double their lead as Smith-Rowe took advantage of more below-par Leicester defending.
However, the home side responded well to going 2-0 down and thought they were back in the game as a delicious James Maddison free-kick headed for the top corner. Ramsdale was keen to preserve his clean sheet though and managed to excellently tip the ball onto the crossbar.
A couple of changes during the interval brought more attacking impetus for Leicester but they continued to be frustrated by Ramsdale. A string of important saves kept the Foxes at bay and allowed Arsenal to maintain their upwards trajectory.
Mikel Arteta’s side are now unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions and have moved into the European places for the first time this season, an area of the table where they will be desperate to stay.
(Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
October 30, 2021 at 10:17 AM EDT
That’s all from me as the 3pm kick-offs in the Premier League are now well underway.
I’ve really enjoyed bringing you the updates from a thoroughly entertaining match at King Power Stadium and hope you have enjoyed following the coverage just as much.
October 30, 2021 at 10:06 AM EDT
I’ve said enough about how good Ramsdale was for Arsenal this afternoon so I’ll let the experts tell you instead.
Got a feeling that this is one that will be particularly well received by Gunners fans!
https://t.co/USEkzsWPLo pic.twitter.com/BCtEPYV08x
October 30, 2021 at 9:56 AM EDT
The 20-year-old academy graduate was able to mark a milestone appearance with an assist which got Arsenal off to the perfect start this afternoon.
100 – On what his is 100th appearance for @Arsenal in all competitions, Bukayo Saka has registered his 21st assist, at least three more than any other player for the club since his debut. Money.
October 30, 2021 at 9:54 AM EDT
I have felt like a broken record talking about Ramsdale this afternoon and it’s about time some of Arsenal’s other young stars had a share of the praise. As they have been all season, Smith-Rowe and Saka were once again brilliant against Leicester as they managed a goal and an assist respectively.
These two statistics sum up just how influential they are for the Gunners, starting with the scorer of the second goal today.
4 – Emile Smith Rowe has scored his fourth goal of the season in all competitions – all of which have come in his last seven appearances – and the same number as he managed in 33 games last season. Strides. pic.twitter.com/ZXL8gR8rJo
October 30, 2021 at 9:49 AM EDT
Ramsdale really announced himself as the new Arsenal number one in the 2-0 win at King Power Stadium.
After the match, he told BT Sport: “Maddison is a top free-kick taker and I’ve come up against him a couple of times. It was just one of those days that I was saving everything that was thrown at me and the lads were blocking [the rest of] them.”
October 30, 2021 at 9:27 AM EDT
What a brilliant start to the Premier League weekend! Arsenal blew Leicester away in the opening 20 minutes and could have added to the two goals that they scored in that period through Gabriel and Smith-Rowe.
However, for the rest of the game, the hosts were probably the better team and, had it not been for a world-class Ramsdale performance, they may have come away with a result.
The win takes the Gunners 5th before the rest of the action takes place over the next couple of days while Rodgers’ side remain 10th but will drop into the bottom half as the weekend goes on.
October 30, 2021 at 9:22 AM EDT
90′ Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
The fourth official has indicated that there will be a minimum of five minutes stoppage time but the sting has well and truly been taken out of Leicester’s tail.
The visitors now look comfortable and look as though they will hold out for all three points.
October 30, 2021 at 9:15 AM EDT
84′ Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal have been almost militant in the way they have defended in this second half.
The performance of Ramsdale has certainly helped but the back four. as well as Partey and Lokonga, have been terrific in maintaining their clean sheet.
October 30, 2021 at 9:09 AM EDT
77′ Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
For the first time this afternoon, there has been a period of a few minutes where nothing of note has really happened as Arsenal look to close out a really important victory.
Leicester’s relentless earlier pressure has waned and it should be pretty routine for Arteta’s side now, although they don’t always like doing things the easy way!
October 30, 2021 at 9:02 AM EDT
69′ Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
The visitors have woken up in this second half and nearly had a third goal but for some great goalkeeping from Schmeichel.
Another set piece where Arsenal looked dangerous but the Dane was able to keep out Aubameyang’s close-range effort with his feet.
October 30, 2021 at 8:56 AM EDT
63′ Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
Ramsdale has turned in a performance for the ages so far and he is really enjoying himself. Rightly so!
The England goalkeeper made yet another smart stop to keep out the electric Barnes and after being on the receiving end of a chant I am unable to even paraphrase, he turns to the Kop end at King Power Stadium and pumps his fists with a smile stretching from ear to ear.
October 30, 2021 at 8:50 AM EDT
58′ Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
Leicester are really in the ascendancy now but Ramsdale continues to keep them at bay.
More slick build up from the home side brings a goalscoring opportunity for Lookman but he is denied by Arsenal’s impenetrable keeper.
October 30, 2021 at 8:46 AM EDT
55′ Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
Barnes’ introduction has given the Foxes a new lease of life and they aren’t letting Arsenal breathe on the ball.
Luke Thomas was nearly able to add the goal that Leicester’s second-half play has deserved but his low-driven effort skidded an inch or two wide of Ramsdale’s far post.
October 30, 2021 at 8:43 AM EDT
52′ Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
The outrageous Ramsdale save on the stroke of half time has, deservedly, been highly praised on social media.
One of those who was particularly impressed by the stop was former Manchester United number one, and father of Ramsdale’s opposite number, Peter Schmeichel.
Best save I’ve seen for years by Ramsdale👏👏👏
October 30, 2021 at 8:36 AM EDT
46′ Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
The hosts have got the second half underway and Rodgers was clearly unimpressed by what he saw in the first 45 minutes.
He has decided to revert to a back four by bringing Amartey and Iheanacho off for wingers Harvey Barnes and Ademola Lookman.
October 30, 2021 at 8:22 AM EDT
Arsenal are deservedly in front at half time after dominating the opening exchanges at King Power Stadium. Goals from Gabriel and Smith-Rowe inside the opening 18 minutes put them two goals to the good before Leicester had woken up.
The Foxes did ultimately fight back and can certainly count themselves unlucky not to have halved the deficit before the break. Ramsdale made a couple of excellent saves, firstly to deny Iheanacho and secondly to tip Maddison’s goal-bound free-kick onto the crossbar.
So far, so good for Arteta and Arsenal while Brendan Rodgers will be desperate to see his side bounce back after half-time.
October 30, 2021 at 8:17 AM EDT
43′ Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
While Arsenal have been by far the better side in this first half, they have had Ramsdale to thank for the fact that their two-goal lead is still intact.
Maddison’s bending free-kick looked destined for the top corner before the Gunners goalkeeper brilliantly tipped the ball onto the crossbar and subsequently smothered Jonny Evans’ rebound.
October 30, 2021 at 8:10 AM EDT
36′ Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
If you have been keeping an eye on the live blog, you will have seen the earlier post regarding Arsenal’s proficiency from corners. Following Gabriel’s headed opener, they have now scored more goals from set pieces than any other Premier League team this season.
Considering Leicester’s lack of stability at the back during this match, and during the first couple of months of their campaign, it would hardly be surprising to see the visitors nick another goal from a set piece this afternoon.
The Athletic’s Arsenal correspondent, Art de Roché, looked into how Arteta’s side have become such a threat from corners and you can read the summary of his findings below.
GO FURTHER
How are Arsenal getting good at corners?
October 30, 2021 at 8:01 AM EDT
28′ Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
Leicester are finally beginning to play their part in this match and have put together a couple of nice attacking moves.
The most recent of them saw Kelechi Iheanacho let fly from 25 yards only to see Aaron Ramsdale pull off an excellent stop at full stretch.
October 30, 2021 at 7:56 AM EDT
22′ Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
A slight worry for Arsenal supporters as Gabriel leaves the pitch following a stoppage in play where he had stayed down. However, the Brazilian defender is waved back onto the field by the referee after receiving medical attention.