'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It was a big game for both the teams, as Arsenal came into this game after dropping important points against Wolves and Crystal Palace at home, whereas Leicester City bagged two wins in their last two games in the league. Arsenal came into this game with immense pressure, and they had a point to prove. But the Gunners really couldn't cause much problems to the home side throughout the game.
Jamie Vardy hunted down Arsenal again and James Maddison got the second goal to dispatch the Gunners back to London. Emery's men, led by Aubameyang and Lacazette, did come close to scoring a few times, but Kasper Schmeichel was relaxed for the majority of the game.
Arsenal set up differently for last night's game, as the Spaniard switched to a back three, in order to keep Vardy, Maddison and Tielemans under control, as they have often ripped apart teams through the centre. Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac also did a decent job to keep Leicester's wingers at bay, but Rogers' substitutions changed the game as he brought on Demarai Gray, who played the through ball for the opening goal. And considering the balance of play, Leicester City deserved the three points. A decent first half from the Gunners followed by a lacklustre second half versus the home side have summed up Arsenal's form in every game this season.
#5 Hit - James Maddison (Leicester City)
Yet again, it was the 22-year-old who pulled the strings from midfield last night. He created 3 chances in the box, had 2 shots on target (more than Arsenal's whole team), and had a passing accuracy of 88%. It was one of his better performances for the Foxes, and he clearly loves to score the winner against North London clubs, doesn't he?
Brendan Rogers has done a spectacular job in getting the best out of James Maddison, and the coach gives him the freedom to play according to his way in the midfield. His link-up with Jamie Vardy and Youri Tielemans is a treat to watch, and if the Foxes can keep him fit throughout the season along with consistent performances from the team, they might challenge for the Premier League title this year.
James Maddison came up with a 10/10 last night and the player who had the job of marking him was Lucas Torreira, who could not get anywhere near him. Eventually, he dropped a disaster-class at the King Power Stadium.
#4 Flop - Lucas Torreira (Arsenal)
Lucas Torreira is a highly-rated player at Arsenal amongst the fans, but Unai Emery has been reluctant in playing him in his preferred position, i.e central defensive midfielder. He has been played as a #10, an #8 but the only time which he was deployed as a DM was against Nottingham Forest at home in the Carabao Cup, in which Arsenal won 5-0.
Last night, he was again playing as a number 8 to provide with more bodies in the box when Arsenal marched into the opposition box during counters. However, the 23-year-old could not impact the game in any way, as he was often left on the floor by Leicester's forwards, and he could not contribute much in the opposition box either.
Torreira is one of the few players who was unbelievably consistent last season under Unai Emery, as he had formed a robust partnership with Granit Xhaka in the midfield. However, this season, he has been very poor and the fact that he has been forced to adapt to a new position every weekend has not helped his cause either.
#3 Hit - Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester City)
In the summer of 2018, Leicester City bought Caglar Soyuncu for a fee of £19 million, in an attempt to bolster their defence. He was not brought as a replacement for Harry Maguire, who was set to stay despite strong interest from Manchester United. But with time, decisions changed.
The departure of Maguire saw Soyuncu get his chance in the starting XI, and the 22-year-old have stepped up like a boss for the Foxes. Leicester City have kept 5 clean sheets in the league this season, and have conceded just 8 goals in 12 games; joint-best in the Premier League.
His aerial ability, game-reading and brilliant movements on and off the ball, as well as his partnership with Jonny Evans, are a few reasons why Leicester have been so composed and confident at the back. The Foxes will rely on and expect their back four to consistently perform every weekend as they attempt to get back into Europe next season.
#2 Flop - Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)
Arsenal's Player of the Season for 2018/19, Alex Lacazette has been struggling to replicate his form of last year this season. In 7 games played, the 28-year-old has scored just twice, against Tottenham and Burnley, both at home.
He suffered an ankle injury in mid-September this season, and his return to Premier League football has not been convincing at all. In a game where Arsenal had to win at all costs, the Frenchman missed a couple of chances inside the box, which he could've easily buried if he had a bit of composure and confidence in himself.
Though one could argue that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Lacazette did not get enough service versus Leicester City, scoring the limited chances you get is the sign of a world-class striker. Lacazette had his chances, but his missed chances along with poor defending in the second half have cost Arsenal three very important points. He will have to take the pressure off Aubameyang's shoulder in the upcoming games and gradually improve his form, as Arsenal look to get back into contention for top four.
#1 Hit - Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
11 goals in 12 games, the 33-year-old Jamie Vardy is absolutely flying! He does not look like stopping anytime soon, and with him leading the line, Leicester City finishing 90 minutes without scoring a goal is as likely as Arsenal keeping a clean sheet.
Vardy took 24 games to get 11 goals last season, while he has done it in 12 this season, and this just goes to show how immensely Brendan Rogers' free-flowing system is helping him flourish, as compared to Claude Paul's.
Last night, Jamie Vardy peppered Arsenal again and he has been doing this for a while now, scoring thrice in his last three games versus Arsenal. The Golden Boot race is on fire this season, and time will tell whether he has managed to sack Unai Emery with his brilliant performance last night.
