Arsenal 4-2 LCFC
Post match analysis by Colin Hall
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation.
In over 40 years of visits to this part of North London, this correspondent has seen Leicester draw twice (the second time as long ago as January 2000!) and lose on all of the remaining occasions.
Given recent performances by Steve Cooper’s side, which could be described at best as indifferent, there seemed little prospect that dismal record would be enhanced.
But while defeat did not come as a complete shock to the 3000 Foxes, who travelled to the Emirates more in hope than expectation, there were enough twists and turns during the afternoon to give hope to the Blue Army for better times ahead.
Cooper made two changes to his starting line-up from the previous league game, bringing in Facundo Buonanotte and Oliver Skipp for Jordan Ayew and Bilal El-Khannouss.
The visitors made a bright start, with James Justin seeing a shot blocked in the opening minutes, but that proved to be the only City attack of the entire first half. Arsenal took a grip on midfield early in the game, which they rarely looked like letting slip during this period..
Even so, it took 20 minutes and a highly contentious call by referee Barrott (a notorious figure on City’s travels last season) for the high-flying hosts to gain the lead.
Jamie Vardy was wrestled off the ball on the halfway line. As his team-mates hesitated in expectation of a free-kick,Timber crossed for Martinelli to open the scoring.
The weak, inexperienced match official was in desperate need of assistance from his VAR to remedy his error, but none was forthcoming, and further insult was added when both Cooper and Vardy were shown yellow cards for their vehement protests..
As the home onslaught continued, only desperate defending and superb goalkeeping from Mads Hermansen kept the scoreline respectable, until another collective lapse in concentration enabled Trossard to find the net on the stroke of half-time.
The mood in the away area dueing the interval was understandably downbeat, with many fearful of the hiding that seemed likely to follow.
Instead, within minutes of the restart, the Foxes somehow found a lifeline. Vardy earned a somewhat generous free-kick, with the referee perhaps seeking to compensate for his earlier error. Buonanotte delivered an excellent set piece onto Justin’s head, and the ball found the Arsenal net via a heavy deflection.
With the stadium reeling in shock, the transformation in the visitors’ confidence was off the scale. Buonanotte finally started to show glimpses of the potential which have led many in Argentina to view him as Lionel Messi’s possible long-term successor in the national side
At last, City were able to take the game to their hosts, and gained due reward after 63 minutes when Justin met a Wilfred Ndidi cross with a spectacular volley to level the scores.
The delirious travelling hordes began to wonder if their side could complete the most miraculous of comebacks, but the game was to turn once more after an incident 20 minutes from time, as Buonanotte was cynically upended by home defender Calafiori, who had previously been booked.
The stadium held its breath as the referee reached for his pocket, but the card he produced was for the Brighton loanee making a booking gesture while on the ground. Premier League officials are only too aware of the media firestorms that can arise when decisions are made against bigger clubs, and referee Barrott had no wish to provoke one.
Visibly relieved to still be playing with 11 men, Arsenal responded by stepping up through the gears. Hermansen was forced into a string of outstanding saves in the closing minutes as the home side regained the initiative.
Although Cooper made a series of substitutions, he seemed more intent on preserving the shape of the team than with reinforcing a tiring defence.
This misjudgment was to prove costly deep into stoppage time when a corner, needlessly conceded, was allowed to reach an unmarked Trossard beyond the far post. His drive struck Ndidi on its way into the net to spark ecstatic scenes among the home fans.
Cooper brought on further attackers in search of an unlikely leveller, only for his side to be hit on the break. Hermansen saved well from sub Jesus, but Justin’s attempted clearance hit Havertz and rebounded into an empty net.
Not for the first time at his venue, the travelling Foxes were left wondering what could have been. Although outclassed for long spells by a team with title prospects at their strongest for some years, City showed fighting spirit and a number of other qualities which may prove invaluable in the clashes that loom in the coming weeks.
Many questions still remain, not only about Cooper himself, but also of a defence which remains very much a work in progress and in need of more discipline and leadership than was evident here.
The overdependence of the attack on an ageing, declining Vardy is also an issue which fans and management alike seem reluctant to address.
The ability of the current manager to find positive solutions in the weeks ahead may well determine his eventual fate, together with that of City’s season.
Arsenal (4-4-2): Raya; Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori; Saka (c), Partey (Nwaneri 85), Rice, Martinelli (Sterling 74); Havertz, Trossard (Jesus 90 + 8).
Subs not used: Neto, Jorginho, Kiwior, Kacurri, Lewis-Skelly, Nichols.
Goals: Martinelli (20), Trossard (45 + 1), Ndidi (og) (90 + 4), Havertz (90 + 9)
Booked: Saliba, Calafiori.
Leicester (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Justin, Okori (Fatawu 90 + 8), Faes, Kristiansen; Winks, Skipp (El-Khanouss 90 + 1); Buonanotte (Ayew 85), Ndidi (Edouard 90 + 8), Mavididi (De Cordova-Reid 90 + 1); Vardy.
Subs not used: Ward, Coady, Ricardo Pereira, Choudhury.
Goals: Justin (47,63)
Booked: Vardy, Skipp, Ndidi, Buonanotte.
Referee: Samuel Barrott. VAR: Paul Tierney.
Attendance: 60 323