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Premier League
Feb 14, 2016 at 12pm UK
 
Leicester logo

2-1

Walcott (70'), Welbeck (95')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Vardy (45' pen.)

Live Commentary: Arsenal 2-1 Leicester City - as it happened

Relive Arsenal's dramatic 2-1 win over 10-man title rivals Leicester City as Danny Welbeck marks his return from injury with a 95th-minute winner at the Emirates.
2

Arsenal cut the gap at the top of the Premier League table to two points courtesy of a 2-1 victory over title rivals Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

The Foxes took the lead right on the stroke of half time through a Jamie Vardy penalty, but were controversially reduced to 10 men when Danny Simpson picked up a second yellow 10 minutes in to the second half.

Arsenal finally levelled things up through Theo Walcott 20 minutes from time, before going on to nick the victory in the 95th minute when Danny Welbeck glanced his header into the bottom corner on his first appearance of the season.

Found out how all of the action unfolded in a pulsating top-of-the-table clash courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.


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Good morning! What a day of football we have ahead of us on Valentine's Day, with all of the title-chasing top four facing each other on what could be a pivotal afternoon in the Premier League. We begin with the leaders Leicester travelling to Arsenal - just one of two teams to have beaten the Foxes in the top flight this season. It has the potential to be a cracker of a match, just like the reverse was, and whatever the outcome it is likely to have a telling impact on the title race. First things first, though - let's start with a look at the two teams...

ARSENAL STARTING XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud

ARSENAL SUBS: Ospina, Chambers, Flamini, Elneny, Campbell, Walcott, Welbeck

LEICESTER STARTING XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Kanté, Drinkwater, Albrighton; Okazaki, Vardy

LEICESTER SUBS: Schwarzer, King, Gray, Ulloa, Dyer, Wasilewski, Chilwell

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, perhaps the biggest news from the hosts' perspective doesn't come on the field, but instead on the bench where Welbeck is included amongst the subs. The England international has been a long-term absentee through injury but recently stepped up his recovery and is now deemed fit enough for a squad role by Wenger. It is something of a surprise as he was not expected to return to the squad until maybe the upcoming FA Cup game with Hull, but he could now find his first game in months coming in a huge title clash.

On the field, there is no change when it comes to the attacking positions from the side that beat Bournemouth last time out. Ozil and Oxlade-Chamberlain got the goals in that game and retain their spots this afternoon, with the former having had a hand in 20 goals already this season. He is still waiting for his first assist of 2016, however, having registered 16 before the turn of the year. Giroud, who capped off the scoring in the reverse fixture between the two teams, leads the line.

Perhaps the player Leicester will be keeping the closest eye on is Alexis Sanchez, though. The Chilean has only recently returned from injury and is yet to really get back up to full speed, but he had four goals in his three Premier League appearances against Leicester, including a hat-trick in the reverse fixture at the King Power Stadium in September. There is no doubt that, if on form, he has the ability to win big games for the Gunners, and they may need him to do so today.

Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's fourth and his hat trick goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal at The King Power Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Leicester, United Kingdom.© Getty Images


Wenger has made two changes to the side that beat Bournemouth, including the return of Mertesacker at the heart of the defence. Gabriel has started Arsenal's last two games ahead of the German, but misses out today with a slight hamstring injury to hand Mertesacker a way back into the starting XI alongside Koscielny. The other change comes in midfield, where Coquelin returns in place of Flamini, who drops to the bench.

As for Leicester, Claudio Ranieri names an unchanged side for today's match, which is no surprise given their 3-1 triumph over Manchester City last time out. New signing Daniel Amartey remains short of match fitness so once again fails to make the squad, and even when he is up to speed he will find it tough to break into this Leicester side, who are now looking just as mean defensively as they are in attack.

Schmeichel maintains his place in goal behind a familiar back four of Simpson, Morgan, Huth and Fuchs as the Foxes look for a sixth clean sheet in their last eight outings. Huth proved himself to be a menace at the other end of the field against Manchester City last time out too, scoring twice for what ultimately proved to be a match-winning brace. Protecting them will be Drinkwater and Kante, the latter of whom Arsene Wenger revealed that he has been following since the age of the nine.

The whole Leicester side have played their part in their extraordinary season so far, but there is no doubting who the stars of the show are. Vardy hit a blip recently but, despite drawing a blank and Manchester City last time out, has returned to goalscoring ways of late and now has 18 league goals to his name this season - the highest tally in the division. He is one of only four players to have been directly involved in 20 or more Premier League goals this season, three of whom are playing in today's match.

In addition to Ozil and Vardy, the other is, of course, Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian is the first player to have hit double figures in both the goals and assist columns this season, netting for the 14th time against Manchester City last time out and creating 10 more goals for a combined league-high total of 24. Even Arsene Wenger admitted that he didn't know anything of Mahrez before his £400,000 move from Le Havre in the French second tier, which makes his rise to the top of the English game all the more remarkable.

Riyad Mahrez celebrates with teammates during the Premier League game between Manchester City and Leicester City on February 6, 2016© Getty Images


There is plenty for Arsenal to keep their eyes on today, then, and perhaps the biggest concern for Arsene Wenger today is that his side are exactly the type that Leicester love to play against. The Foxes are more than happy to allow opposition teams to dominate possession, which Arsenal love to do, and they are never more dangerous than in an open game, which this is likely to be. There are sure to be counter-attacking opportunities for Leicester today, and there has been no better side in England at taking advantage of those this season than the Foxes.

Today's match is very close to the realms of must-win for Arsenal, or at least must-not-lose. It wasn't long ago that they sat top of the Premier League table and we many people's picks to go on and end their 12-year wait to be crowned champions of England, but in true Arsenal style they faltered in January and now find themselves five points off Leicester. Defeat today would see that gap grow to eight, which would be a huge ask to haul back with 12 games of the season remaining.

On the other hand, though, victory would see them close the gap to two points, which makes their situation look a whole lot better. It would also see them climb back above Tottenham and pile the pressure on their North London rivals and Manchester City, who meet at the Etihad later this afternoon. The Gunners are the only team who can complete the league double over Leicester this season, and doing so would catapult them right back into the mix.

They do not have a good record against teams at the top of the table, though. On the last 11 occasions in which they have come up against a side leading the Premier League. they have emerged victorious just once, drawing four and losing six. Perhaps even more worryingly is that they have scored only four goals in those 11 games and conceded 18. This Arsenal squad does look to be a little more balanced and have more mental strength than years gone by, but that theory will be put to the test here.

It will be put to the test over the coming weeks too, with Arsenal facing a season-defining run of fixtures over the rest of February. In addition to this title showdown, they continue the defence of their FA Cup crown against Hull City next up before taking on the might of Barcelona in the first leg of the last-16 Champions League clash. Their next league game comes away to Manchester United, and not long after that they also take on Tottenham Hotspur.

They don't enter that run in the best of form either, with a recent four-game winless streak the reason behind their slump in the title race. They did at least end that, and a three-game goal drought in the league, with a 2-0 win over Bournemouth last time out, although they didn't play particularly well in that game. The Cherries were more than a match for Arsenal throughout the 90 minutes, but goals from Ozil and Oxlade-Chamberlain within 90 seconds of each other proved to be the difference.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is rewarded by Hector Bellerin during the Premier League game between Bournemouth and Arsenal on February 7, 2016© Getty Images


The Gunners have only lost one of their last 13 home games in all competitions, with that coming at the hands of Chelsea when they were forced to play much of the game with only 10 men. They have also conceded just seven league goals in front of their own fans all season - second only to Manchester United. However, at the other end of the field they have only scored 16, which is fewer than relegation-threatened Norwich have managed at home - and they have the worst home record in the top four.

It won't help, then, that they are coming up against the best away record in the division this season. Leicester have been scintillating wherever they have played, but their counter-attacking style if anything suits them better on the road. They did lose a Premier League away game until Boxing Day against Liverpool, and that remains their only loss on the road not just all season, but in their last 16 Premier League away matches stretching back to March 2015.

They have picked up more away points in the league this season than they have at home, and have also scored more goals on the road than any other team in the top flight this term. It should be an interesting battle, then against Arsenal, who boast one of the best home defensive records in the league. Home and away, no team has scored more in the league this season than Leicester, who have found the back of the net 47 times in their 25 outings.

During the opening months of the season it was Leicester's attack that was getting all of the praise, and rightly so, but there were still questions at the other end of the field. Their tally of 27 goals conceded is still the highest figure in the top six, but things have certainly improved at the back in recent weeks. Since the Boxing Day defeat to Liverpool, Leicester have kept five clean sheets and conceded just two goals in seven outings, having only managed three clean sheets all season before that.

Having lost a league-low two games all season, Leicester are also unbeaten since that Boxing Day reverse at the hands of Liverpool. Their ongoing seven-game streak includes victories in each of their last three matches, and another win this afternoon would match their best run of the season with four wins in a row. It would also take them eight points clear of Spurs and Arsenal, and nine above Man City ahead of the clash between Spurs and City later today.

All that makes the dream of Leicester winning the Premier League title seem even more realistic, and there is no doubt that they deserve their place as the bookies' favourites, a position they occupy for the first time this season following their win over Man City last weekend. They have never before won the top-flight crown, coming closest when they finished second way back in the 1928-29 season, and should they manage it this season then it would surely be the biggest shock in English football history.

The form that they are in is quite remarkable stretching all the way back to last season, when they were bottom of the table at this stage of the campaign. They embarked on a fine run to save themselves from relegation, and have continued that form into this year, losing just three of their last 34 Premier League outings and winning 22 of those game. That includes the deserved 3-1 win over Man City last weekend, which was perhaps the highlight of their incredible season so far.

Robert Huth celebrates scoring during the Premier League game between Manchester City and Leicester City on February 6, 2016© Getty Images


A win today might even top that, though. This is arguably Leicester last huge test of their title credentials, and should they win then it is hard to see anyone stopping them in the coming weeks. Four of their next five games after this one come against sides in the bottom half of the table, while they only have two of the current top six left to play before the end of the campaign. The question may come at the end of the campaign, with Leicester's final three matches coming against Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at the Emirates, which means that it is time for a prediction! This really is a tough one to call and I have been back and forth on it a number of times. Leicester's style suits playing against the likes of Arsenal, and the visitors are the form team coming into the game. However, this is a bigger match for the Gunners than it is for Leicester, and while the Foxes have made a fool of those who have repeatedly backed against them this season, I am going to do so again and go for a 3-2 Arsenal win.

Arsenal are the only side this season to have beaten Leicester convincingly, condemning the Foxes to their first defeat of the season when they met at the King Power Stadium back in September. Many thought the Gunners' 5-2 win would be the end of Leicester's fairytale run, but that hasn't been the case and they have so far bounced back from every setback. The fact that they ran out such big winners in the last meeting, which included a Sanchez hat-trick, is bound to help Arsenal's confidence, though.

There is also the fact that Leicester have a dreadful record against Arsenal over the last two decades and more. The Foxes are winless in their last 19 league meetings with Arsenal, losing 12 of those since a 2-1 victory at Filbert Street in November 1994, when Ian Wright was on the scoresheet for the Gunners.

Arsenal have also won each of the last eight league meetings on home turf, be it at the Emirates or Highbury, and Leicester haven't won an away game against the Gunners since a 2-0 win in September 1973. Of course, they won't have been as well placed to do so in that time as they are now, but it is still a long-standing record that they are looking to end today. The corresponding fixture just over a year ago ended in a 2-1 win for Arsenal courtesy of goals from Koscielny and Walcott.

KICKOFF: We're underway in this huge title clash, and Arsenal immediately get on the front foot with Oxlade-Chamberlain collecting a Sanchez pass down the right before seeing his low cross turned behind for an early corner.

CHANCE! Sanchez attacks the resulting corner really well and leaps high above Simpson, but the ball comes off his shoulder and loops just past the far post.

You felt that Arsenal needed to make a quick start to this match, and that is exactly what they have done. No goals yet, but the Gunners have looked bright in the opening couple of minutes.

Leicester may be a little concerned with how this game has started. They haven't seen much of the ball and, while they may have expected that to be the case, Arsenal have looked dangerous when coming forward. Kante halts the latest attack with a fine challenge, though, as he has been doing all season.

There is a good atmosphere around the Emirates Stadium at the moment, and the game feels a little like a cup final. It is about that size, with defeat arguably knocking the hosts out of the title race.

A penalty shout from the hosts as Ozil attacks down the right channel, cutting the ball back to Oxlade-Chamberlain. His attempted ball inside does hit the arm of Kante inside the box, but it was too close for him to have moved his arm and you can see why Martin Atkinson waved the claims away.

Arsenal have enjoyed 71% of the ball in the opening 10 minutes, and perhaps more importantly have stopped Leicester from getting any joy on the counter-attack. It has been pretty much one-way traffic so far.

Leicester finally get their foot on the ball and threaten the Arsenal defence, and the Foxes almost have a chance to open the scoring too. The ball is floated in to Okazaki, who finds himself unmarked in the penalty area with only the keeper to beat. He misses the chance anyway, but the linesman's flag was incorrectly raised against the striker.

CHANCE! It all suddenly opens up for Arsenal as Ramsey finds himself through on goal, but Schmeichel comes racing out and almost 30 yards from his own goal makes a vital tackle. Great sweeper keeping.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Leicester at the other end moments later as the ball is crossed in by Albrighton to Vardy at the back post and he rises highest to nod a downward header towards the bottom corner. Cech gets down really well, though, and then manages to collect the loose ball before Vardy can bundle the rebound home on the line.

There is concern over Simpson here, who looks dazed after being clattered into by Monreal. He should be fine to continue, though.

Again Arsenal seem to be in as Giroud flicks the ball on for Ozil, but the linesman's flag is raised and the German is denied a one-on-one opportunity. That looked to be another tight one.

Good defending from Morgan as Arsenal come forward again, with Fuchs giving the ball away and Oxlade-Chamberlain taking advantage. He drives down the right flank before playing a low ball into the middle, but Morgan slides in to prevent Giroud from getting a clean shot away.

Midway through the first half here and we're still goalless, despite Arsenal putting the Leicester defence under a lot of pressure. The Gunners look the most likely to open the scoring, but Leicester always have that threat on the break.

Drinkwater does well to win the ball back for Leicester deep in Arsenal's half before dropping it back to Mahrez. He in turn squares it for Kante, who tries an ambitious long-range strike that flies comfortably over the crossbar.

CHANCE! Another huge piece of defending from Morgan! It is lovely football from Arsenal as Ozil and Giroud combine to set up Sanchez inside the Leicester box. He looks certain to sweep it home, but Morgan throws himself in the way of the ball.

CHANCE! The resulting corner is met by Giroud, but he is under pressure when climbing and can't get over the ball, instead nodding it over the crossbar.

This really is developing into a good tussle between these two sides. Still no goals, but the game is being played at a really good tempo and it would be a major surprise if it was to finish 0-0.

Almost a good chance for Leicester to break as Kante steps in to collect a Mertesacker pass intended for Coquelin, but Vardy can't take his subsequent pass under his spell. This is a real tug of war at the moment.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Arsenal have the ball in the back of the net, but Giroud is denied by the offside flag! It was Ozil's ball over the top to the Frenchman, who glanced a clever backward header past Schmeichel, but he has strayed just half a yard offside. It is another close one, but the linesman got that right.

Leicester are beginning to grow into this match now having been firmly on the back foot for the opening quarter of an hour or so. They are looking a little more solid at the back and, more importantly, are beginning to carry a threat when coming forward too.

Kante has been brilliant so far today. He always seems to be there to get a toe to the ball or make an important challenge, and he dispossesses Sanchez again here to win the ball back for the Foxes.

YELLOW CARD! Coquelin becomes the first name in the book this afternoon for a mistimed sliding challenge on Mahrez that stopped a potential counter.

CHANCE! Another half-chance from a corner for Arsenal, with Giroud holding off Huth to get something on the ball. It isn't a clean connection, though, and eventually bounces wide for another corner.

SAVE! The Arsenal delivery comes to nothing and Kante eventually wins the ball back yet again to spark another Leicester attack. Kante is involved in that too, picking the ball up on the left flank and curling a cross/shot towards the far post that Cech has to claw behind for a corner.

Just three minutes remain until half time in this match, which has been a really good tussle between the two title contenders. Arsenal have had more of the ball and more chances, but the best of the lot has fallen the way of Leicester.

PENALTY TO LEICESTER!

GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Leicester (Jamie Vardy, penalty)

The dream continues! Leicester take the lead right on the stroke of half time, with Vardy putting his laces through the penalty and slamming it home for goal number 19 this season. It is the same man who wins the penalty too, racing into the box before going down under the challenge of Monreal. Vardy left his leg hanging out there, it must be said, but there was definitely contact and you can see why the referee gave it.

We are into the first of two minutes added time here.

YELLOW CARD! Ramsey goes into the book for a strong challenge on Okazaki, and he can have no real complaints there. Koscielny was also shown a yellow in the wake of that Leicester penalty for a foul on Kante in the build-up.

HALF TIME: Arsenal 0-1 Leicester City

The first half comes to an end at the Emirates, and it is Leicester who have the lead in this title battle. It has been a good, open match with chances for both sides, but as things stand it is Leicester who are on course to go eight points clear at the top of the table.

The goal came right on the stroke of half time as Jamie Vardy took his tally for the season to 19 goals from the penalty spot having been brought down by Monreal in the area at the end of a counter-attack. Vardy looked so confident when taking what was a high-pressure spot kick too, slamming the ball into the corner and sending Cech the wrong way.

Jamie Vardy scores from the penalty spot during the Premier League game between Arsenal and Leicester City on February 14, 2016© Getty Images


It was also Vardy who had the best chance of the half before that penalty, but on that occasion Cech was equal to his effort. The Arsenal keeper made a fine save down low to his right to keep out Vardy's downward header before collecting the second ball on his own line with the Leicester and England striker looking for the follow-up.

Cech was also called upon to deny a curling effort from Kante in that first half, and it is the Leicester midfielder who has been the standout performer in this game so far. He has made so many tackles and interceptions, but has also been involved in attacks as well, covering every blade of grass. Wes Morgan has also been good at the back for Leicester, but it is Kante who has stolen the show so far.

Arsenal have had a number of chances themselves, although not many of them have been really clear openings. Leicester have always managed to put enough pressure on them to prevent Arsenal getting a clean contact on the ball, such as with headers from Sanchez and Giroud, or thrown themselves in the way of it, as Morgan also did to deny the same two Arsenal attackers.

KICKOFF: Leicester get us back underway for the second half, and the first thing to tell you is that Arsenal have been forced into a change at the break, with Calum Chambers replacing Koscielny.

CLOSE! Almost a perfect start to the half for Arsenal! A couple of flicks inside the box set up a chance for Ozil, but that is quickly shut down by a fine challenge from Drinkwater. The ball drops to Ramsey, but he drags his effort narrowly wide of the target.

Arsenal have clearly come out for this second half looking to make an early impression on the scoreboard. Leicester were able to avoid conceding when Arsenal made a bright start to the first half, and they may be forced to weather another storm here.

YELLOW CARD! The biggest cheer of the day greets Simpson going into the book for a foul on Sanchez. Safe to say that the home fans have been frustrated by Martin Atkinson today.

PENALTY SHOUT! Another huge penalty shout for Leicester! Mahrez completely skins Monreal with a lovely piece of skill and he is caught by the defender, but this time Martin Atkinson, perhaps with the crowd in mind, says no. Monreal is a lucky boy!

YELLOW CARD! Another card, this time for Fuchs for a poor challenge on Giroud. Atkinson allowed play to continue, though, as Arsenal came forward down the right, only for Oxlade-Chamberlain to feed a low cross too far in front of Ozil.

CHANCE! Arsenal's best chances have come via the aerial route today, and they have another one here. Monreal lifts the ball to the back post and Giroud peels off Fuchs at the back post, but can't keep his header down.

RED CARD! Danny Simpson (Leicester City)

Big moment in this match as Leicester go down to 10 men, and it is a very, very soft one. Simpson is shown a second yellow for a tiny little tug back on Giroud, and the visitors will have to hold out for 35 minutes with a man disadvantage here.

I must say, it feels as though Martin Atkinson has allowed the criticism of the home fans to get to him in this second half. He has been a lot more card-happy when it comes to the Foxes, including a very harsh red card, and he has denied them what should have been a penalty too.

YELLOW CARD! Another card from Atkinson as Kante goes into the book, which is a decision that has angered both sets of players as Arsenal wanted to take the free kick early.

LEICESTER SUB: Mahrez is the man sacrificed to give Leicester another defender here, with Marcin Wasilewski coming on to replace him. Coquelin comes a long way over to try to help Mahrez off the field, which is just nonsensical from the Arsenal man. It's all getting a bit out of hand here!

CHANCE! Good defending from Albrighton as he nips in to steal the ball from Ozil just as he was about to pull the trigger. Arsenal come forward again and a ball arrives low into the box from the right, which Sanchez can't strike cleanly and fires wide.

LEICESTER SUB: Another change for the home side, and it is an interesting one as Demarai Gray replaces Okazaki.

ARSENAL SUB: The Gunners also make a change, with Theo Walcott coming on for Coquelin. Attacking move from Wenger.

There is a real bite to this game at the moment. Tempers are frayed right now and this is a time when the cooler heads may prevail. Arsenal are approaching this as if it is the 90th minute already.

SHOT! Chances may be few and far between for Leicester now, and Vardy looks to take this one early having been released. His effort is speculative and tired, though, and Cech collects before it can go wide of the target.

This is one-way traffic right now, and Arsenal come forward again down the left. Monreal just about keeps the ball in play and cuts a low ball into the box that needs to be put behind for another Arsenal corner.

GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Leicester (Theo Walcott)

Big goal from the sub Theo Walcott to level things up here! Bellerin cross arrives from the right and is chested down beautifully by Giroud to send Walcott clean through. Schmeichel comes rushing out, but Walcott side-foots a half-volley beyond the keeper with Arsenal's first shot on target of the match.

This is going to be a long final 20 minutes for Leicester here. It has been one-way traffic since the sending-off, and that goal has only served to build on Arsenal's momentum. The Foxes would certainly take a draw here.

Leicester have been harshly handed one red card today, but they perhaps should have had one here as Drinkwater goes flying into a challenge on Ramsey far too high. Atkinson can't have seen that properly otherwise he would have had little option but to reduce Leicester to nine.

CHANCE! Another chance for Arsenal as Giroud pulls of a brilliantly acrobatic effort in the area, but his shot hits the arm of Huth. Once again he is far too close for it to be given, though, while Ramsey drags his effort wide of the target.

CHANCE! Yet another opening for the Gunners as Ozil feeds the ball out to Sanchez on the left channel and he takes it in his path, only to skew his effort well wide.

SHOT! Leicester have a rare break forward, and even though Vardy is isolated that doesn't stop him taking it to the Arsenal defence. He draws four red shirts around him before dropping the ball back to Kante, who curls one wide of the far post.

CHANCE! Sanchez is clearly still carrying a bit of rust from his recent injury. The ball breaks to him inside the box yet again, but not for the first time today his timing is off and he mis-kicks his effort to waste a real chance.

LEICESTER SUB: Change for Leicester here as Andy King comes on in place Albrighton for the final seven minutes.

ARSENAL SUB: Could it be a triumphant return for Danny Welbeck? He comes on for his first appearance since last April, replacing Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Leicester have just five minutes to hold out here! Under the circumstances this would go down as a very good point, and a draw is certainly a better result for them than it is for Arsenal.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Arsenal to surely win it! Ozil floats a pass over the top of the defence for Mertesacker, who is still up from a corner. The German glances it deftly towards the bottom corner, but it bounces inches the wrong side of the post.

CHANCE! Almost a chance for Welbeck now as Giroud knocks a cross down for the striker, but Morgan is there to prevent the returning Arsenal man from getting a clean connection.

WHAT A SAVE! Oh my word, what a stop from Schmeichel to keep Leicester level! The ball arrives to Giroud inside the box after Monreal's cross is diverted into his path. Giroud looks certain to score, but Schmeichel sticks out a big hand to make an incredible save.

CHANCES! The chances continue to arrive for Arsenal, with Giroud steering a header straight at Schmeichel before Ramsey sends an effort wide following a late burst into the box.

There will be four minutes of stoppage time for Leicester to hold out here!

YELLOW CARD! Wasilewski picks up a late yellow for Leicester, who continue to hold firm. Late free kick for Arsenal here...

GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Leicester City (Danny Welbeck)

Unbelievable scenes as Arsenal steal the victory with what is surely the last action of the match! Ozil floats the free kick into the middle and Welbeck, on his first appearance of the season, glances a header inside the far post to win it for the Gunners!

FULL TIME: Arsenal 2-1 Leicester City

Wow. What a dramatic ending to a magnificent contest between these two title rivals, and it is Arsenal who are celebrating having cut the gap at the top of the table to just three points. Leicester can feel hard done by having seen Simpson very harshly sent off just 10 minutes into the second half, from which point it was all Arsenal. Leicester were 1-0 up when the sending-off occurred courtesy of Vardy's penalty right on the stroke of half time, but goals from two sub, Walcott and the fit-again Welbeck, on his first appearance of the season, saw the Gunners complete the turnaround.

That is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's match, which certainly lived up to the billing as one of the biggest games of the season. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction from both camps. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!

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N'Golo Kante of Leicester looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur on August 22, 2015
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
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Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!