A 5-2 win for Arsenal at the weekend wasn’t enough to convince Leicester City striker that Arsenal are a long way ahead of the Foxes.

Alexis Sánchez’ hat-trick came in between goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud to gift Arsenal all three points at the King Power Stadium.

Nonetheless, Japanese international Shinji Okazaki felt the hosts were as good as the Gunners on the day and have enough about them to keep impressing.

“It is the first defeat for the team, but I am quite positive about the way we played,” Okazaki said.

“I didn’t feel a huge gap between Arsenal and us, even though I think we could have had chances to win the match.

“But they had a bit better quality like Sanchez. However, I think that on our good day, we can compete with them.”

Technically Alexis was the difference between the sides, scoring three goals, and Leicester did spurn a number of good opportunities.

You’d expect Arsenal to beat Leicester but Claudio Ranieri’s side had remained unbeaten through the first six games of the season and showed they are a threat.

Okazaki, who was signed from Mainz 05 in the summer, wasn’t the most dangerous player on the pitch and only lasted 45 minutes after failing to add to his solitary Leicester goal so far.

“The manager sent a sub on for me because the others have scored more goals than me,” he added. “However, even just 45 minutes playing against Arsenal was a real joy for me.

“I really enjoyed the experience and I got some confidence from this match.”

The striker is very talented – he’s proven that in the Bundesliga – and his time at Leicester will improve eventually.

Despite that, his claim that Leicester are as good as the Gunners is a strange one.