Arsenal: 4 talking points from magnificent comeback win over Leicester

Arsenal came from behind to beat Leicester 3-1 on Sunday, with Nicolas Pepe being in inspired form for Mikel Arteta’s side on a memorable afternoon in the midlands. Here are the talking points.

Given their excursions in midweek, Mikel Arteta made six changes to his starting lineup from the dramatic 3-2 win over Benfica in Athens, leaving Bukayo Saka, Hector Bellerin and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the team for some much needed rest.

The team selection hardly inspired and merely added to already present nerves, but 97 minutes later all was forgotten about at the King Power Stadium.

Some collectively woeful Arsenal defending gifted Youri Tielemans the opening goal after just six minutes. Mistakes in midfield followed through into defence, opening the space for the Belgian to fire low past Bernd Leno.

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Leicester vs Arsenal: 4 talking points from superb comeback victory in the Premier League

Arsenal rallied after their characteristic mishap, believing they were to get the chance to level from the spot after Nicolas Pepe was felled, only for VAR to correctly rule the initial foul to have been outside the area.

They did draw level five minutes from the break in unusual fashion, as a well-worked free-kick routine finished with David Luiz angling a header beyond Kasper Schmeichel. Then on the stroke of half-time, Alexandre Lacazette made no mistake from the spot after a clear handball in the 18-yard box from Wilfred Ndidi.

A strong second half showing to match the first 45 minutes followed, with the points all-but wrapped up seven minutes after the restart when Pepe tapped home from a flowing Arsenal move.

Seeing the game out strongly and without much rebuttal, victory was clinched for just the second Premier League win in six matches moving the Gunners up to 37 points from 26 matches.

Same Issues Rear Their Ugly Heads

Five minutes on the clock at the King Power Stadium and it felt like deja vu. A similar scenario that has plagued this team even beyond the current campaign. Arsenal always find a way to out-Arsenal themselves.

An error from Granit Xhaka progressed its way towards goal as Mohamed Elneny opted against shifting across, a sentiment echoed by Pablo Mari who looked like the was running for the corner flag for whatever inexplicable reason.

It was collectively poor, but none of that matters. Instead, it was another prime example of unavoidable errors creeping into performances at the wrong moments. Giving yourself a handicap and offering the opposition a lifeline for no reason other than carelessness.

Building up a head of steam from that point and totally dominating the match, every sign pointed towards a repeat of previous performances: control, probing, chances going begging…defeat.

What Arsenal did was capitalise on their command of the game. It came via a set-piece and penalty in that half, but it was nonetheless a banishment of the failings that have held this side back for large periods of the season.

Come the final whistle, victory is all that matters. However, against less injury-ravaged sides who don’t have as clear off-days, they may not be granted such liberties. These mistakes must be eradicated in the quest for resurgence. Starting now.

Rotation Pays Off in Sweetest Possible Way

The thought of a Bukayo Saka-less Arsenal side is a terrifying prospect. The star boy this season and cruising his way to the Player of the Season gong, his importance to the side is a drum that gets beat each and every week.

With such a short turnover from the Europa League success in Greece, how severe certain muscle injuries may have been were left to be discovered just before kick-off, with Arteta confirming the risk of injury was too serious for key stars.

It was hoped that the changes could have been left for the upcoming Burnley fixture, which is preceded by a welcome week long break, but no risks were taken. Thus, without Thomas Partey, Saka and Aubameyang, and with Mohamed Elneny and Willian starting, hopes of victory were mostly dashed.

How remarkable, then, that the 90 minutes that followed were up with the best seen under the Spaniard’s tutelage, and arguably the finest all season. Saka never touched the turf, Aubameyang got a short run-out at the end and Partey came on late for some vital minutes.

While Kieran Tierney played the full match, he looked largely untroubled with fatigue, and even Hector Bellerin was given chance to recover after regular outings.

Rotation is not an acceptance of defeat, it’s utterly paramount. Arteta made all the calls, and he got them spot on.

Emile Smith Rowe Injury the Only Downside

While the rotation worked wonders in not seeing a drop off in performance, the issue befalling Emile Smith Rowe put a dampener on what was an otherwise perfect afternoon.

Those who were left out of the side were chosen to for valid reasons. Martin Odegaard had started four matches in 12 days building up to Sunday, and given Smith Rowe didn’t see out the game in Athens, his inclusion was inevitable in place of the Norwegian.

"Arteta told the official Arsenal website after the game: “I’m concerned because for Emile to come out and say, ‘I cannot continue playing’… It should be something related to his hip. I don’t know how bad he is but he was in a good place after the game.”"

As unwelcome as it is, there has been an air of inevitability about Smith Rowe’s fitness. He’s suffered from niggles for most of his career, and given the sheer volume of fixtures he has been involved in since Christmas, as well as the visible tiredness in latter stages of matches, a setback of sorts felt more like a ‘when’ rather than an ‘if’.

This is precisely why Odegaard was brought in. Smith Rowe suffering an injury is a blow for club and player, but the inclusion of a player who can operate in his position with his own differing skill set means the club won’t be hamstrung for the period he remains absent.

While awaiting the diagnosis, Arsenal are in safe hands until his return.

Sublime Performance Signals Strong End to Season

Chances of securing a top four berth were done plenty of favours after an excellent win over such strong opposition. Only eight points now separate Arsenal from West Ham in fourth, a mathematical possibility that ensures there is hope beyond the daunting task of winning the Europa League to secure Champions League qualification.

That doesn’t make it likely, however.

That disastrous pre-Christmas spell means that Arsenal are no longer relying on themselves to finish in those places. Other sides in and around them will need to go suffer winless streaks and Arteta’s side will have to win almost all of their remaining 12 fixtures. It’s highly unlikely.

What victory over Leicester does is keep their faint hopes alive and, importantly, sets the tone for a strong finish to the season. Both in Europe and domestically, building on the progress made since Boxing Day is vital in the bid to be among the candidates proper for Champions League football next season.

With every chance that Arsenal could be not involved in Europe at all next term, the only way to maintain positivity and encourage those from the outside looking in to buy into the project is to visualise that direction with performances on the pitch.

The Premier League table since Christmas sees Arsenal fifth. Every element is more refined, drilled and slick. Maintain that, build on it. Whether this season is successful or not, victories such as Sunday keep the ball rolling. Don’t let it stop.