What a match on Valentine’s Day! From awful refereeing, dives, no shots on target, to red card, great subs and one Danny Welbeck.

Arsenal can’t make anything easy, but wins like these are even sweeter than any other. The match was intense and there was no dull moment. Both teams were up for it from the start, with several half chances and good shots, and some stunning saves from both keepers.

Martin Atkinson really wanted to be in the centre of it though, and made some wrong decisions (for both teams). But it all ended well for us, three points that feel like six.

Petr Cech – 7.5

I mean, do we even need to talk about how great Cech has been? Even though he was nowhere near saving the penalty, he made some amazing saves yet again and kept us in it during the first half. He wasn’t really tested in second half but gave us one of the great moments in the match!

Héctor Bellerín – 7

Bellerin still seems a bit off to me, both defensively and in attack. Most of Leicester’s chances came through his side, thanks to amazing Kanté, and Hector didn’t do enough to stop him. He was good going forward in second half, and there was less defensive work then as well.

Per Mertesacker – 7

Even though many were worried about his “lack of speed” when facing Vardy, Per once again showed that he is much better than many make him out to be. He did most of the things well, he can be better but all in all a good match for him, especially when you remember he hasn’t played for a while.

Laurent Koscielny – 7

Sadly, Kos played only 45 minutes due to “dead leg”. He had a good first half, did some great tackles and clearances. Hopefully he’ll be ready for Barça!

Nacho Monreal – 6.5

After a lot of thinking, I decided to be as realistic as possible with this rating. Nacho was the unlucky one that “gave away” the penalty, and there was one other that *could have* been given. Other than that, he was once again amazing, Riyad Mahrez was no where to be seen. He ruled his side, made some good clearances and even managed a few decent crosses in second half once Mahrez was off.

Arsenal's Spanish defender Nacho Monreal (L) vies with Leicester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leicester at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 14, 2016. / AFP / GLYN KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE.
Nacho Monreal gave away a penalty but kept Riyad Mahrez quiet on Sunday afternoon. (GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

Francis Coquelin – 6.5

Major sigh of relief when we saw Coq starting! He still isn’t 100% ready obviously, got our first yellow card and didn’t do much else except shoving Mahrez to hurry up when he was being subbed off. He is an improvement on Flamini though, and surely will get better as he gets more game time.

Aaron Ramsey – 7

Aaron was everywhere on the pitch again, running forward, covering back. He was trying to create chances and was getting better as match went by. He missed some decent chances that should have been finished better.

Mesut Özil – 7.5

Ah, Mesut. I was thinking how he didn’t really have a good match by his standards, and then he delivers that free-kick. Yes, he wasn’t *that* good in first half, a little due to being harassed by Leicester players, but even then he managed a few backheeled passes. I wish he had a shot once or twice from the outside but that perfect free-kick made me forget about it all.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal challanges Robert Huth of Leicester City and Christian Fuchs of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Mesut Özil had a quiet afternoon by his standards but still delivered the decisive cross for Arsenal to clinch all three points. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Alexis Sánchez – 6.5

Alexis was really off, he still doesn’t look like the old Alexis we were used to watching and enjoying. He almost scored in the first half, and had some chances in the second but they were all pretty bad misses. Everything he tried didn’t work, and he looked more frustrated about it than all of us.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7.5

Ox had a great match, it has to be said. He frustrates the hell out of me sometimes but today he was one of our better players. He created chances, made some amazing runs down the right side and didn’t look bad when he was dropped into midfield in the second half. I was hoping he would finish the whole 90 minutes, he deserved it more than Alexis.

Olivier Giroud – 7.5

What a match for our handsome striker. He was a menace for Leicester’s defence during whole match. He managed to score in first half but it was just offside, Simpson was sent off after the tackle on him, and he assisted Theo for our first goal. He had some great chances, especially that in second half that was magically stopped by Schmeichel. Deserved a goal.

Subs:

Calum Chambers – 7

I don’t know about you but I was scared when I saw him coming on, but he damn sure proved me wrong! Did his job in defence during 2nd half, with some pretty decent ‘tekkers’ one time. Really mature display from him.

Theo Walcott – 7

What a great sub from Mr. Wenger. Theo came on and scored our first goal that brought us back in. He looked good and this goal might be very useful for the rest of his season.

Danny Welbeck – 10

What else! After 10 months out, Danny came in for 10 minutes, scored, and celebrated magnificently. I can’t give him anything less than a 10 and you can think whatever you want about it.

510183348 referee martin atkinson shows arsenals gettyimages
Welcome back, Danny! (GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)