Leicester City vs Arsenal | 2022/23 PL | Three Crucial Things we Learnt

We observed three crucial things as Arsenal beat Leicester City 1-0 at the King Power Stadium to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Gabriel Martinelli’s goal in the early stages of the second half was enough to secure a victory for the Gunners, keeping them two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table. The scoreline could have been higher if not for VAR ruling out Leandro Trossard’s goal due to a foul committed by Ben White on Leicester keeper Danny Ward just before the break.

Arsenal, Leicester City — Image Obtained Via FourFourTwo

Oleksandr Zinchenko was given the Arsenal captain’s armband against Leicester City as a mark of respect in the week of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of his native country Ukraine. The Ukrainian came close to a second goal in as many games before Ward pushed away the defender’s curling shot.

1. Gabriel Martinelli’s Goal Could Be Crucial In The Title Race

Martinelli received an excellent nutmeg pass from Trossard and then placed his shot in a precise manner inside the far post, to score. Following his shot, Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi appeared to stamp on the Brazilian’s leg as the he fell to the ground.

Despite Martinelli’s discomfort, he was able to resume play after a long stoppage caused by the incident. Selecting the Brazilian forward over Eddie Nketiah in the starting XI, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s decision proved to be beneficial as the 21-year-old scored the match-winning goal.

2. Leicester City Have Really Underperformed This Season

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his surprise at his team’s lacklustre performance against Arsenal, attributing it to their current position in the Premier League table, just outside of the relegation zone.

Although Rodgers claimed that he had not instructed his team to play defensively and let the Gunners take control, he admitted that the Foxes were lacking in intensity, particularly in the first half. Furthermore, they lacked quality in their counters, failing to take advantage of opportunities to punish the visitors.

3. Leandro Trossard Gave An Incredible Performance in False Nine Position

Due to injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, Arteta chose to deploy the Belgian international as a false nine and restored Gabriel Martinelli to his usual position on the left-wing. Leandro Trossard, who joined in January from Brighton & Hove Albion for a fee of £27 million, has made an immediate impact and once again showcased his talents at the King Power Stadium, albeit in an unfamiliar position.

Arteta stated that Trossard had performed really well when asked about the winger’s performance as a forward. He noted that the Belgian was involved in many situations that could have led to more scoring opportunities and that he also scored an incredible goal, although it was disallowed. Additionally, Trossard provided the assist for Gabi’s goal.

Brendan Rodgers stated that he had requested his players to replicate the assertive performance that resulted in a significant victory over Tottenham two weeks earlier. The Foxes, missing their influential player James Maddison, were unable to create any noteworthy opportunities during the match and failed to register a single shot on target.

Leicester have managed to win only three out of their 12 home league games so far this season. Arsenal are set to host Everton in midweek which is the Gunners’ game in hand over Manchester City, and then the League leaders face Bournemouth on Saturday.

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