Arsenal defeated Leicester City at the King Power on Saturday in the early kick-off, thanks to a dominant first half performance and a professional second half display.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal makes a save during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal at The King Power Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal makes a save during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal at The King Power Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s first 45 against Leicester on Saturday was so good even the commentators couldn’t stop themselves praising how well the team was playing.

A thunderous near-post header, directed into the far corner by Gabriel, who rose above everybody to meet Bukayo Saka’s corner, opened the scoring after just five minutes.

Emile Smith Rowe made it two when he arrived late in the box to strike home a loose ball.

There were just 18 minutes on the clock.

Leicester made a number of changes at the break, including their formation, and offered a much more sustained threat for the first 25 minutes of the second half.

Thanks largely to Aaron Ramsdale, who was simply unbeatable, Arsenal kept their lead intact before the final 20 played out in a much more even manner.

Ramsdale was the undoubted man of the match as his stats show:

  • Expected goals conceded 1.93
  • Saves 8
  • Diving Saves 5
  • High claims 2
  • Recoveries 13

After the game, Ramsdale told BT Sports, “It’s a super result away from home.

“We started really well, got two good goals, thankfully it was one of those afternoons I contributed.

“It was just one of those days and it seemed I was saving everything that was thrown at me.”

Mikel Arteta said about Ramsdale’s best save, “I just seen the picture, it’s incredible.

“I haven’t seen the video. My reaction when I saw the ball leaving Maddison’s foot, I said ‘goal’. I don’t know how it happened. It was incredible. And the moment and timing of it as well was crucial.”

https://twitter.com/Pschmeichel1/status/1454421961568931844

Arsenal player ratings vs Leicester (half-time)

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal scores their team's second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal at The King Power Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal scores their team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal at The King Power Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
  • Aaron Ramsdale 8.9 (7.2) MoTM
  • Takehiro Tomiyasu 7.2 (6.9)
  • Benjamin White 7.1 (6.4)
  • Gabriel 8 (7.6)
  • Nuno Tavares 7.4 (7.3)
  • Bukayo Saka 7.7 (7.5)
  • Thomas Partey 7.2 (6.8)
  • Albert Sambi Lokonga 7.1 (6.4)
  • Emile Smith Rowe 8.1 (7.6)
  • Alexandre Lacazette 6.6 (6.6)
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 7.4 (6.9)

Arsenal Subs

  • Martin Odegaard 6.8
  • Nicolas Pepe n/a
  • Sead Kolasinac n/a