• LEICESTER CITY RATINGS: Kasper Schmeichel - 6: No saves to make in first half but still found himself picking the ball out of the net twice. Nothing Dane could have done about either goal or the third that followed in second half. AP
    LEICESTER CITY RATINGS: Kasper Schmeichel - 6: No saves to make in first half but still found himself picking the ball out of the net twice. Nothing Dane could have done about either goal or the third that followed in second half. AP
  • Timothy Castagne - 6: Some assured defending from Belgian right-back but was up against two players in Tierney and Willian who were up for it right from the first whistle. Lost Luiz for opener as training-ground free-kick routine worked perfectly for Gunners. Getty
    Timothy Castagne - 6: Some assured defending from Belgian right-back but was up against two players in Tierney and Willian who were up for it right from the first whistle. Lost Luiz for opener as training-ground free-kick routine worked perfectly for Gunners. Getty
  • Caglar Soyuncu - 6: Turkish centre-half looks short of pace at times and was facing a player on top of his game in Lacazette but was not to blame for any of the goals. Made a couple of important challenges along the way. AFP
    Caglar Soyuncu - 6: Turkish centre-half looks short of pace at times and was facing a player on top of his game in Lacazette but was not to blame for any of the goals. Made a couple of important challenges along the way. AFP
  • Jonny Evans - 6: Veteran defender stuck to task up against an impressive Arsenal attacking performance but joined the Leicester walking wounded when he limped off with 20 minutes left. Reuters
    Jonny Evans - 6: Veteran defender stuck to task up against an impressive Arsenal attacking performance but joined the Leicester walking wounded when he limped off with 20 minutes left. Reuters
  • Luke Thomas - 5: The 19-year-old full-back was guilty of multiple fouls on Pepe in opening 45 minutes and eventually shown yellow card, but also produced perfectly timed challenge to deny Gunners man a shot at goal. Struggled to deal with Ivorian, though, and was hooked at break. Reuters
    Luke Thomas - 5: The 19-year-old full-back was guilty of multiple fouls on Pepe in opening 45 minutes and eventually shown yellow card, but also produced perfectly timed challenge to deny Gunners man a shot at goal. Struggled to deal with Ivorian, though, and was hooked at break. Reuters
  • Ricardo Pereira – 5: Quiet game from Portuguese who made no impact and probably would have been taken off had it not been for teammates’ injury woes. PA
    Ricardo Pereira – 5: Quiet game from Portuguese who made no impact and probably would have been taken off had it not been for teammates’ injury woes. PA
  • Wilfred Ndidi - 6: Centimetres away from giving away early penalty for foul on Pepe, although had been minimal contact, and made no mistake second-time round with crazy handball on the edge of half-time. A moment of madness from Nigerian who remains a key man in that screening role in front of the defence. PA
    Wilfred Ndidi - 6: Centimetres away from giving away early penalty for foul on Pepe, although had been minimal contact, and made no mistake second-time round with crazy handball on the edge of half-time. A moment of madness from Nigerian who remains a key man in that screening role in front of the defence. PA
  • Youri Tielemans - 7: Given freedom of King Power Stadium by Arsenal to drill Leicester into a sixth-minute lead but was then was furious when penalty call given against him for challenge on Pepe - until VAR intervened and gave free-kick outside of area for a Ndidi trip. Booked in second half. Reuters
    Youri Tielemans - 7: Given freedom of King Power Stadium by Arsenal to drill Leicester into a sixth-minute lead but was then was furious when penalty call given against him for challenge on Pepe - until VAR intervened and gave free-kick outside of area for a Ndidi trip. Booked in second half. Reuters
  • Havery Barnes - 6: Thunderbolt shot from 25 metres out was parried away by Leno in first half but provided little else and seemed to be missing his partner-in-crime James Maddison. Potential disaster for rest of Foxes’ season when he went down unchallenged at start of second half and had to be carried off pitch with what looked like a serious knee problem. PA
    Havery Barnes - 6: Thunderbolt shot from 25 metres out was parried away by Leno in first half but provided little else and seemed to be missing his partner-in-crime James Maddison. Potential disaster for rest of Foxes’ season when he went down unchallenged at start of second half and had to be carried off pitch with what looked like a serious knee problem. PA
  • Kelechi Iheanacho - 5: Starting due to Maddison’s injury and offers none of his in-form teammate’s creativity. Made little impact in first half bar one ambitious shot from 30 metres out straight at Leno. Enjoyed a few battles with Xhaka in second half. Should have at least hit target when presented with injury-time chance but fired wildly over the bar. EPA
    Kelechi Iheanacho - 5: Starting due to Maddison’s injury and offers none of his in-form teammate’s creativity. Made little impact in first half bar one ambitious shot from 30 metres out straight at Leno. Enjoyed a few battles with Xhaka in second half. Should have at least hit target when presented with injury-time chance but fired wildly over the bar. EPA
  • Jamie Vardy - 5: Only one goal this year and never really looked like adding to that here. One good run and cross in second half, but you want Vardy on the end of those, not supplying it. AFP
    Jamie Vardy - 5: Only one goal this year and never really looked like adding to that here. One good run and cross in second half, but you want Vardy on the end of those, not supplying it. AFP
  • SUBS: Marc Albrighton – (On for Thomas 46’) 6: Tried to offer Leicester something from out wide after coming on but couldn’t drag side back into game. Getty
    SUBS: Marc Albrighton – (On for Thomas 46’) 6: Tried to offer Leicester something from out wide after coming on but couldn’t drag side back into game. Getty
  • Cengiz Under – (On for Barnes 51’) 6: Provided a bit of spark and Turkish winger could be set for much-needed run in team with Foxes now in full-on injury crisis mode. AFP
    Cengiz Under – (On for Barnes 51’) 6: Provided a bit of spark and Turkish winger could be set for much-needed run in team with Foxes now in full-on injury crisis mode. AFP
  • Daniel Amartey – (On for Evans 69’) 6: Slotted straight in at centre-half and showed great timing and composure to take ball off Pepe who was baring down on goal. Reuters
    Daniel Amartey – (On for Evans 69’) 6: Slotted straight in at centre-half and showed great timing and composure to take ball off Pepe who was baring down on goal. Reuters
  • ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno - 6: Almost gifted ball to Vardy minutes after Foxes took early lead. Had to punch clear Barnes' long-range strike with sun in his eyes but generally a very quiet afternoon for the German. AFP
    ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno - 6: Almost gifted ball to Vardy minutes after Foxes took early lead. Had to punch clear Barnes' long-range strike with sun in his eyes but generally a very quiet afternoon for the German. AFP
  • Cedric Soares - 6: Back in team at right back as one of six changes to side that beat Benfica on Thursday. Solid first half where he was put under little pressure but easily beaten by Vardy’s quick feet and run just after break. Getty
    Cedric Soares - 6: Back in team at right back as one of six changes to side that beat Benfica on Thursday. Solid first half where he was put under little pressure but easily beaten by Vardy’s quick feet and run just after break. Getty
  • Pablo Mari - 6: Awful defending for opening goal when Spaniard backed off instead of going to challenge Tielemans, although he did have one eye on Vardy in the penalty area. Showed good strength and pace to stop the Foxes striker getting in on goal with 25 minutes left. Reuters
    Pablo Mari - 6: Awful defending for opening goal when Spaniard backed off instead of going to challenge Tielemans, although he did have one eye on Vardy in the penalty area. Showed good strength and pace to stop the Foxes striker getting in on goal with 25 minutes left. Reuters
  • David Luiz - 7: Brave diving header from William cross to level scores after 39 minutes. Excellent interception on Albrighton’s cross that was heading straight for Vardy. PA
    David Luiz - 7: Brave diving header from William cross to level scores after 39 minutes. Excellent interception on Albrighton’s cross that was heading straight for Vardy. PA
  • Kieran Tierney - 7: Promising link-up play with Willian in first half and one excellent run and cross that almost set up chance for Pepe. Quieter after half-time although went close with one volleyed effort wide in last 10 minutes. Booked in injury time. Reuters
    Kieran Tierney - 7: Promising link-up play with Willian in first half and one excellent run and cross that almost set up chance for Pepe. Quieter after half-time although went close with one volleyed effort wide in last 10 minutes. Booked in injury time. Reuters
  • Mohamed Elneny - 5: Should have came across to provide cover when Tielemans raced through to open scoring. Was also left for dead by Barnes run in first half that saw Foxes midfielder sting Leno’s hands with shot from distance. Better after half-time but was no surprise when taken off midway through second period. Reuters
    Mohamed Elneny - 5: Should have came across to provide cover when Tielemans raced through to open scoring. Was also left for dead by Barnes run in first half that saw Foxes midfielder sting Leno’s hands with shot from distance. Better after half-time but was no surprise when taken off midway through second period. Reuters
  • Granit Xhaka - 6: Lost possession then couldn’t catch up to Tielemans for Frenchman’s goal. Teed-up good chance for Willian that Brazilian put wide. Nearly saw red mist after being caught by flailing Iheanacho arm in second half and then kicked to ground from behind by same player 10 minutes later. Getty
    Granit Xhaka - 6: Lost possession then couldn’t catch up to Tielemans for Frenchman’s goal. Teed-up good chance for Willian that Brazilian put wide. Nearly saw red mist after being caught by flailing Iheanacho arm in second half and then kicked to ground from behind by same player 10 minutes later. Getty
  • Nicolas Pepe - 9: Thought he had won first-half penalty only for VAR to intervene and award free-kick outside of box. Ivorian caused Thomas all sorts of problems down Leicester’s left and teenager had to be replaced at half time. It was Pepe’s ball into box that Ndidi handballed to give away penalty. Started and finished move to put Arsenal 3-1 up. One of his best games for Arsenal. AP
    Nicolas Pepe - 9: Thought he had won first-half penalty only for VAR to intervene and award free-kick outside of box. Ivorian caused Thomas all sorts of problems down Leicester’s left and teenager had to be replaced at half time. It was Pepe’s ball into box that Ndidi handballed to give away penalty. Started and finished move to put Arsenal 3-1 up. One of his best games for Arsenal. AP
  • Willian - 8: Rare league start for Brazilian and a much-needed good performance. Busy in first half, produced one lovely ball down left for Tierney but was frustrated with himself when he screwed shot wide from just outside box after intricate Arsenal move. Perfectly picked out Luiz from free-kick when Brazilian headed home equaliser. No doubting commitment to cause in this match. AP
    Willian - 8: Rare league start for Brazilian and a much-needed good performance. Busy in first half, produced one lovely ball down left for Tierney but was frustrated with himself when he screwed shot wide from just outside box after intricate Arsenal move. Perfectly picked out Luiz from free-kick when Brazilian headed home equaliser. No doubting commitment to cause in this match. AP
  • Emile Smith Rowe - 6: Started in his preferred No 10 role and had been tidy enough with any major impact but would limp off injured just before break. PA
    Emile Smith Rowe - 6: Started in his preferred No 10 role and had been tidy enough with any major impact but would limp off injured just before break. PA
  • Alexandre Lacazette - 9: Started up front with Aubameyang given breather on bench and led the line brilliantly in his captain’s absence. Confident finish from spot just before break. Showed great strength to help begin move for third goal. Just edged man of the match from Pepe. Reuters
    Alexandre Lacazette - 9: Started up front with Aubameyang given breather on bench and led the line brilliantly in his captain’s absence. Confident finish from spot just before break. Showed great strength to help begin move for third goal. Just edged man of the match from Pepe. Reuters
  • SUBS: Martin Odegaard – (On for Smith Row 42’) 7: Great ball behind Leicester defence to put Pepe away down right just after break. Norwegian showed some lovely quick feet and nice touches. EPA
    SUBS: Martin Odegaard – (On for Smith Row 42’) 7: Great ball behind Leicester defence to put Pepe away down right just after break. Norwegian showed some lovely quick feet and nice touches. EPA
  • Thomas Partey – (On for Elneny 67’) 6: Gunners were coasting by the time he came on and eased himself straight into the action. Getty
    Thomas Partey – (On for Elneny 67’) 6: Gunners were coasting by the time he came on and eased himself straight into the action. Getty
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – (On for Lacazette 84’) N/A. Odd call to bring on key man and captain so late on with match already won, although did nearly made it 4-1 with right-footed curler just wide of target. Getty
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – (On for Lacazette 84’) N/A. Odd call to bring on key man and captain so late on with match already won, although did nearly made it 4-1 with right-footed curler just wide of target. Getty

Football

Leicester City v Arsenal player ratings: Luke Thomas 5, Youri Tielemans 7; Nicolas Pepe 9, Alexandre Lacazette 9

Gunners seal superb 3-1 win against injury-ravaged Foxes

Gareth Cox

February 28, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Arsenal revived their hopes of playing in European competition next season after beating Leicester City 3-1 in an entertaining Premier League clash at the King Power Stadium.

Goals from David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe did the damage after Youri Tielemans had put the home side into an early lead.

The Foxes produced another poor performance after Thursday's 2-0 home defeat by Slavia Prague sent them crashing out of the Europa League, where Arsenal progressed into the last 16 with a 4-3 aggregate win over Benfica.

Leicester took a sixth-minute lead on Sunday as Youri Tielemans robbed Willian and Granit Xhaka of the ball on the right flank and was given all the time in the world to cut inside the area before firing a low shot into the far corner.

The Gunners equalised in the 39th when Luiz headed a Willian cross into the bottom right corner and Lacazette turned the tide in first-half stoppage time as he drilled in a penalty after a VAR check showed Wilfred Ndidi had clearly handled the ball in the area.

Poor defending cost Leicester again in the 52nd minute as they allowed the visitors to break through the middle before Willian slipped the ball to Pepe and the Ivorian forward tucked it into an empty net from two metres.

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