Arsenal 4-2 Leicester City – Player ratings as Gunners down Foxes

Arsenal made it two wins from two to start the Premier League season as they beat Leicester City 4-2 on Saturday afternoon. 

Mikel Arteta named an unchanged side from the one that defeated Crystal Palace on the season’s opening day as the Gunners looked to make it back-to-back wins to start the campaign. Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Emile Smith Rowe, and Eddie Nketiah were named on a strong bench for Arsenal.

After a lively opening 20 minutes, Arsenal took the lead. After some excellent build-up play between Martinelli, Jesus, and Xhaka, the ball found its way to Jesus, who produced a delightful curling effort over Ward in the Leicester goal.

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Arsenal was rampant and doubled their lead thanks to another Jesus goal after 35 minutes. A Martinelli corner was flicked on at the near post, and it found its way to Jesus at the back post, who headed home his second of the half.

Leicester thought they had a penalty towards the end of the first half. Referee Darren England pointed to the spot, but after Mike Dean, who was in control of VAR, intervened, England was told to go and look at the monitor, overturning his decision.

Leicester found a way back into the game. A long ball from Jonny Evans found James Justin, who headed on into the penalty area, and William Saliba nodded back past Ramsdale and into the net.

Arsenal restored its two-goal advantage just minutes later through Granit Xhaka after a mix-up between Ward and Fofana and the keeper fumbled, which allowed Xhaka to slot home.

James Maddison brought Leicester back into the contest with a well-taken finish as he beat Ramsdale through his legs. Martinelli then got on the score sheet minutes later with a well-taken effort on his weaker side from outside the box as the goals continued to flow.

Arsenal then cruised to its second consecutive victory as they start the league season in superb fashion.

Player Ratings from Arsenal’s 4-2 win over Leicester.

Goalkeeper/Defenders

Ramsdale (GK) 6/10 – Produced some good saves and was lucky with his collision with Vardy in the first half. A solid enough performance from our number one.

White (RB) 6/10 – Again, a solid outing from White. Dealt with everything Leicester threw at him, replaced by Tomiyasu with 15 minutes to play.

Saliba (CB) 7/10 – Another assured display from the 21-year-old. Unfortunate own gaol but otherwise was solid as a rock.

Gabriel (CB) 7/10 – Another good performance from the Brazilian in the heart of the defense. Dealt well with everything and kept Leicester’s attackers in check.

Zinchenko (LB) 8/10– The Ukrainian was outstanding. He got forward, was neat in possession, and took up great positions. One of Arsenal’s best.

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Midfielders

Partey (CM) 7/10 – Just did what he does in the middle of the park. Neat and crisp with his passes as he controlled the midfield. Unlucky not to get on the score sheet late on.

Xhaka (CM) 7/10 – Outshone Tielemans in midfield and got a nice goal as a reward for his efforts. Good in possession and got into some dangerous areas. Our box-to-box midfielder for 2022/23?

Odegaard (CM) 7/10 – A good performance from our captain. Kept things ticking over nicely and worked neat passes with the front three as he constantly drove at the Leicester backline.

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Forwards

Saka (RW) 6/10– A somewhat quieter day for our star boy. Looked lively early on and got forward well in the second half but did not trouble Ward all that often.

Jesus (ST) 9/10– Man of the Match. The Brazilian was unplayable at the Emirates. Two well-taken goals and was a constant menace. A home debut to remember.

Martinelli (LW) 8/10 – Two goals in two games, and the Brazilian was on another level today. His pressure and energy to constantly harass the Leicester backline was a thing of beauty. A sensational performance.

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Substitutes

Tomiyasu 5/10 – A late sub for White who was struggling physically. A good 15 or so minutes for our right-back as he steps up his return.

Tierney 5/10– Came on in the last 13 minutes as Arsenal looked to see out the game. Great to see him on the pitch.

Smith Rowe 5/10 – A late addition as Mikel Arteta looked to freshen things up late on.

Nketiah 5/10 – A cameo for the Englishman as he came on for Jesus. Did not really have time to make a difference but did force a good save from Ward with a powerful header.