EPL: No “Partey” for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta was clearly looking to secure a win at home against Leicester City and as such he named and even-handed new signing Thomas Partey his home debut, but there was no ‘ Partey’ for the gunners as a fit-again Jamie Vardy came off the bench to secure an 80th-minute goal, his sixth goal of the season, to hand Leicester a first away league win at Arsenal in 47 years.
Vardy had missed the last two games for Leicester with a calf injury, but last season’s golden boot winner shook it off by scoring his 11th Premier League goal against Arsenal, with only Wayne Rooney able to boast more.
Mikel Arteta thought his side had taken the lead as early as the third minute as Alexandre Lacazette headed home a Dani Ceballos corner at the front post.
An offside flag saw the effort ruled out, however, with Granit Xhaka deemed to have been interfering with play as he stood in front of Kasper Schmeichel.
The Foxes travelled to the Emirates Stadium with a gameplan which they played out to perfection, soaking up plenty of Arsenal pressure before introducing fit-again Vardy from the bench to do the damage.
Arteta opting to bring on Nicolas Pepe in place Bukayo Saka who had been carrying a knock since earlier in the second half, and shift Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back to his more familiar role down the left.
It almost paid immediate dividends as the Gabon forward’s deep cross was volleyed goalwards by Bellerin, with Schmeichel making a smart save.
But the winning goal would come at the other end of the pitch as Leicester finally burst into life as an attacking force.
All of Arsenal’s efforts to get back into the game remained futile (failed to capitalize on their dominance) as Leicester secured their first-ever league win at the Emirates Stadium to move into the top four, just a point behind leaders Everton who saw their unbeaten run brought to an end with a 2-0 defeat by Southampton.
