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

Recap Leicester City's second Premier League draw of the season as they held Arsenal at the King Power Stadium, courtesy of Sports Mole's live text coverage.
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The final game of the Premier League weekend before the first international break of the season saw newly-promoted Leicester City take on FA Cup winners Arsenal at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester picked up their second point of the season by coming from behind to earn a draw, with Leonardo Ulloa's header cancelling out Alexis Sanchez's first goal in the league for Arsenal.

Read how it all unfolded with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.


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Afternoon folks! The final game in the Premier League this weekend takes place at the King Power Stadium as newly-promoted Leicester City welcome FA Cup winners Arsenal to the East Midlands. The team news has just been released, so let's get straight to it...

LEICESTER XI: Schmeichel; De Laet, Morgan, Moore, Konchesky; Mahrez, King, Hammond, Schlupp; Nugent, Ulloa

LEICESTER SUBS: Hamer, Drinkwater, Vardy, Albrighton, Cambiasso, Wasilewski, Wood

ARSENAL XI: Szczesny; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Ramsey; Alexis, Ozil, Cazorla; Sanogo

ARSENAL SUBS: Martinez, Chambers, Rosicky, Campbell, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski

Okey doke. Leicester are unchanged from their last league game - a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea. New signing Esteban Cambiasso is on the bench, but isn't chosen to start by Nigel Pearson.

For the Gunners, it's three changes from last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Everton. Laurent Koscielny, Santi Cazorla and Yaya Sanogo come in for Calum Chambers, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The other two Sunday games in the Premier League are currently taking place. At White Hart Lane, Liverpool are brushing aside Arsenal's North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and currently lead 3-0, while at Villa Park it's Aston Villa 2-1 up on Hull City.

Back to our featured game here and both Leicester and Arsenal were in action in midweek, suffering contrasting results in the Capital One Cup and Champions League. The Foxes suffered a shock defeat at home to League Two side Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup, while Arsenal edged out Besiktas 1-0 at the Emirates to book their place in the Champions League group stage for the 17th straight season.

That means that Arsenal had two draws to excite them this week. In the Capital One Cup, they got a home tie against Southampton, while in Europe they are in a group with Borussia Dortmund for the second straight season. Galatasaray and Anderlecht complete their Champions League group.

REFEREE WATCH! The man with the whistle at the King Power today is Anthony Taylor. The last time he took charge of a Leicester game he sent off Paul Konchesky in an East Midlands derby at Nottingham Forest in the Championship in February. Konchesky plays again today.

Let's just take a closer look at the Leicester starting lineup. The back four is much the same as last season, but the Foxes' midfield is quite different to the one that won the Championship last season. Danny Drinkwater and Matty James were the regulars in 2013-14, but today it's Andy King and Dean Hammond who play in central midfield. Drinkwater, who was one of the best players in the Championship last season, is on the bench, while James remains out injured. Quite surprising not to see Cambiasso start, but maybe he isn't match-fit yet.

The first two games today have just finished and it's wins for Liverpool and Villa. Find links to our match reports in the tweet below:


For Arsenal, it's a big afternoon for Yaya Sanogo, who is yet to perform to the best of his ability in the Premier League. There have been glimpses of what he can do in cup competitions and in pre-season, but there's plenty of pressure on him now with Olivier Giroud sidelined until the New Year. A huge blow for Arsene Wenger, who is now expected to sign a replacement in the final day or so of the transfer window.

Alexis Sanchez will return to a position behind Sanogo today after starting as the lead striker against Everton and Besiktas. He will have been delighted to open his account for the Gunners on Wednesday, with his goal the one to send them through to the Champions League group stages again.

Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates with team mate Santi Cazorla of Arsenal after scoring during the UEFA Champions League Qualifier 2nd leg match between Arsenal and Besiktas at the Emirates Stadium on August 27, 2014© Getty Images

Sanchez is off and running, but one man who has been on fire since the season starting is young Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey. After a brilliant goal in the Community Shield victory over Man City, he has scored in both Premier League games so far, making it four goals in his last five top-flight appearances. In his current form, Ramsey is arguably won of the top 5-10 players in the league.

Under half an hour until kickoff now and below you can see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this game. I go for a 3-0 win to the Gunners:


H2H: Leicester don't have a good record against Arsenal, winning just one of their 16 games against the Gunners in the Premier League era. That came almost 20 years ago in November 1994, when Arsene Wenger wasn't even in charge of the visitors.

These two sides' last meeting was a little over 10 years ago and it will be a memorable one for Arsenal fans. They won 2-1 at Highbury on the final day of the 2003-04 season in what was the final game of the memorable 'Invicibles' season. That day Paul Dickov put Leicester in front, but goals from Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry ensured that Arsenal maintained their unbeaten record for the whole season, with Leicester going down to the second tier.

Perhaps the most famous moment in a game between Leicester and Arsenal is this sumptuous goal by Dennis Bergkamp at Filbert Street in the 1997-98 season. It completed a hat-trick for the Dutchman in a brilliant 3-3 draw.


Leicester haven't kept a clean sheet in their last 10 Premier League games and they'll have a tough job doing so against the attacking talent of Arsenal today. If they are to concede, they will need goals at the other end and Leonardo Ulloa has already found the net this season after a big-money move from Brighton & Hove Albion. Nigel Pearson is said to be in the market for another forward, with Ipswich Town's David McGoldrick the subject of serious interest.

PREDICTION TIME! Ten minutes until kickoff in Leicester, so time for my prediction on the match. As you will have seen in the SM Sofa video below, I fancy a comfortable Arsenal win today - 0-3.

From @OptaJoe on Twitter: "16 - Leicester City have scored at least once in each of their last 16 league games at home. Gunning."

Nice use of the new Hyperlapse app from Instagram by BBC commentator Connor McNamara here as Arsenal's players get off the team bus. The two sides are now coming out of the tunnel. Kickoff five minutes away!

KICKOFF! Arsenal, in their away kit of yellow and deep blue, get us underway. Leicester in their home colours of royal blue and white.

Early bite to the game straight away as Nugent challenges Debuchy from behind.

I said beforehand that Sanogo had plenty to prove and he's not got off to the best of starts. The Gunners have a chance to break and Cazorla finds the Frenchman in an advanced position, but his first touch is very poor.

Leicester go up the other end and have their first threatening moment when Mahrez gets in behind Monreal. The Spaniard catches back up with the Algerian winger, but is beaten by some good skill before Mahrez's cross is headed out by Koscielny.

Back come Arsenal and they have the first shot of the game through Cazorla, whose 20-yard effort is fairly tame and straight at Schmeichel.

End-to-end stuff! A loose pass from Arsenal and Leicester storm down the other end with right-back De Laet. His cross into the middle is a little behind Ulloa, who can only pop the ball in the air for Szczesny to easily catch.

A couple of minutes go by without a penalty-box incident before Ulloa's low cross from the right is partially cleared by the Arsenal back line. Schlupp then receives the ball at the back stick, but can't do anything dangerous with it.

Break in play after a clash of heads between Koscielny and Schlupp. Fair, full-blooded challenge from both men.

Schlupp seems to be OK, but Koscielny is still down and has a grimace on his face. Worrying times for the visitors. Calum Chambers, after his England call-up earlier this week, gets sent out to warm up.

Koscielny has gone down the tunnel, but Wenger hasn't made the change. It's likely he'll receive some quick stitching and be sent back on. Flamini drops back alongside Mertesacker for the time being.

Ramsey tries an inventive scooped pass over the top that's just too long, even for Sanogo's gangly legs.

JUST WIDE! That's the closest we've come to a goal as Mahrez exchanges passes with King on the edge of the area before firing with his weaker right foot just past the far post.

Koscielny comes back on moments later with some navy blue headwear. Colour-coordinated, well done.

GOAL! LEICESTER 0-1 ARSENAL (ALEXIS)

First blood to the Gunners! It's been an even start to the game, but Leicester are behind as they switch off a little at the back. Cazorla dinked the ball over the defence for Sanogo, who tried to prod past Schmeichel but got lucky when the ball deflected kindly for Sanchez. He made no mistake from close range and that's his first league goal for Arsenal.

GOAL! LEICESTER 1-1 ARSENAL (ULLOA)

Leicester equalise straight away, just like they did on the opening day of the season when they went behind at home to Everton. That day it was Ulloa with the equaliser on his debut and he's done it again! Schlupp keeps the ball in down the left wing before sending over an inch-perfect cross for the striker, who heads back across Szczesny into the net. Poor marking from Koscielny, you have to say.

That goal means that Leicester have scored in each of their last 17 home league games.


ARSENAL SUB: Koscielny is deemed unable to continue, with Chambers replacing the Frenchman. Was he a little dazed for the goal? Ulloa pulled off him very easily.

'Match of the Day' presenter Gary Lineker is known for being a Leicester fan. He tweets: "There's no doubt @OfficialFOXES have goals in them. Worryingly, though, that applies to both ends of the pitch."

A big roar in the Leicester end as Esteban Cambiasso trots out to warm up for the first time. Will he make his debut today?

Arsenal win a free kick in a dangerous position that Ozil takes. It's well-hit, but smacks into a Leicester head at the top of the wall.

Some good Leicester pressure and the Foxes want a penalty as centre-back Morgan gets in behind Chambers after a corner. Taylor isn't interested and that's the right call for me.

Here's a picture from Getty Images of Ozil and Mahrez in the sunshine:

Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil (R) runs with the ball chased by Leicester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (L) during the English Premier League football match on August 31, 2014© Getty Images

Arsenal aren't happy with referee Taylor as he blows up for a Leicester free kick a good few seconds after signalling for advantage. Mahrez went into a crowded area and lost the ball, but the Foxes still got the decision. They're a little lucky there. Mahrez takes the free kick, but it's a poor delivery.

Half time approaching and although Arsenal have had 13 efforts at goal, just four have been on target and you would say that it has been a fairly even half, with Leicester decent on the counter-attack.

FOUR minutes are added on at the end of the first period because of the stoppage due to Koscielny's injury earlier in the half.



Almost a terrible error at the back from Chambers, who flukes his way past one man before getting by another calmly. He's certainly a confident young chap.

Brilliant surging run from Mahrez, who has teammates left and right but instead keeps going and drills a powerful shot at goal that is straight down the throat of Szczesny.

HALF-TIME: LEICESTER 1-1 ARSENAL

Another top half of Premier League footy on this gripping weekend of action in England's top flight. We're all square at the King Power, with Leonardo Ulloa heading the Foxes level after Alexis Sanchez had been Arsenal in front.

Leonardo Ulloa (R) of Leicester City celebrates scoring his team's opening goal with team mates during the Barclays Premier League match against Arsenal on August 2014, 2014© Getty Images

If you're only just joining us here and want a quick roundup of how the first half went, you can read our instant half-time report by clicking here.

As expected, Arsenal have had plenty of the ball (68%), but they've been a little blunt in and around the area. Sanogo, again, is failing to shine in the Premier League and it's down to those behind him to win this game for the Gunners. Sanchez has his goal, but it's been a fairly quiet half for Ramsey.

As for Leicester, the stats indicate that they've been outplayed, but that's far from true. They've been a good match for Arsenal and look especially dangerous on the counter-attack. The Foxes' two wingers, Schlupp and Mahrez, have been really good, while Ulloa is both dangerous in Arsenal's area and also helpful back in his own box.

As things stand, the Foxes are set to climb out of the bottom three and up to 15th place. They'll still be winless, but two points from three games against Everton, Chelsea and Arsenal isn't something to turn your noses up at. Arsenal, meanwhile, will fall four points behind table-toppers Chelsea if they are held to a draw here.

The two sides are back out for the second half. No changes from either manager. Wenger did have to make an early change, though, when Koscielny's head injury saw him replaced by Chambers.

KICKOFF! Leicester get us underway in the second half and they have an early opening as King's low cross flicks off Nugent but is an easy save for Szczesny.

Today's attendance at the King Power is 31,535, with 3,304 making the journey North from London for Arsenal.

Ramsey surges forward from midfield and he finds Sanogo on the edge of the area. The Frenchman's snapshot takes a deflection and goes out for a corner. Nothing comes of it.

The visitors appeal for a penalty as Cazorla looks to spin around his man and tumbles under the challenge of Hammond. It looked very soft and Taylor feels that the contact was not worthy of a spot kick.

CHANCE! A tough chance, but a chance nonetheless for Arsenal as Alexis slips in Cazorla, whose first-time shot with his left foot is a good few yards wide of the near post. He just couldn't quite wrap his foot around it.

CHANCE! A tough chance, but a chance nonetheless for Arsenal as Alexis slips in Cazorla, whose first-time shot with his left foot is a good few yards wide of the near post. He just couldn't quite wrap his foot around it.

SIDE-NETTING! Almost a wonderful second goal from Ulloa! He brought down a high ball superbly before finding Mahrez, who returned it to him with a precise through-ball. Chambers was back, but Ulloa cut inside him before clipping over Szczesny and against the side-netting.

Cazorla, whose clever lofted pass led to the first goal, once again beats the Leicester defence with a chipped pass over the top. It's just too high for Ramsey, though, as he can only head straight at Schmeichel.

SAVE! Brilliant break from the Gunners and it's Monreal storming down the left. He delays and delays the pass before slipping in Sanogo. Schmeichel is out quickly and deflects the Frenchman's first-time shot from close range.

Half an hour left at the King Power and it remains 1-1. Here's a shot of Alexis slotting home his first Premier League goal:

Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal scores his team's opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Leicester City on August 31, 2014© Getty Images

SHOT! Excellent harassing from Mahrez, who dispossesses Alexis before storming up the right wing with Ulloa. The latter has the ball in a dangerous position and squares to strike partner Nugent whose first-time shot is well-blocked by Debuchy.

LEICESTER SUB: Odd change from Pearson as he takes off the extremely impressive Mahrez for Marc Albrighton. Perhaps the Algerian was a little tired, he has been so energetic.

Arsenal are seeing plenty of the ball near the Leicester box, but they're not doing much in it. Soon they'll have to start hoisting balls into the box and Cazorla does just that. Sanogo gets up to meet it but can't get over it and the ball loops harmlessly over the top.

LEICESTER SUB: A second change for the Foxes, and it's still not Cambiasso. Jamie Vardy comes on for his Premier League debut, replacing Schlupp, who, like Mahrez, was excellent on the wing. Vardy was Nugent's strike partner last season, but has this season been replaced by Ulloa.

JUST OVER! Almost a fortuitous goal for the Gunners as Cazorla's shot from the edge takes a deflection and flies just over the top. Moments earlier Ozil cut in from the left and crossed for Sanogo, who let it run through his legs but no-one was there. Not his day.

The camera pans to the bench and there sits Jack Wilshere. It doesn't look like he's getting ready to come on, but Wenger must be thinking about a change soon. He still has two left to make.

Flamini is lucky not be cautioned after a reckless swipe on Hammond. Moments earlier Sanchez got in down the right but his cross was dealt with by Morgan. The Leicester centre-back has barely put a foot wrong today and made several key blocks.

SUBS: Both managers make their final changes, with Danny Drinkwater replacing Leicester goalscorer Ulloa, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski replace Cazorla and Sanogo for the Gunners.

Not long after making their last available substitutions, Arsenal are temporarily down to 10 men as Ozil hobbles off the pitch with an injury. If he's not able to continue, the Gunners will have to play the remainder a man light.

It looks like a right ankle problem for the German.

Ozil is back on the pitch and his cross has just been deflected out for a corner. Will we see a winner today?

SAVE! And it's Leicester who almost sensationally go ahead! Brilliant play from Vardy as he nicks the ball past Flamini before playing a pass a bit behind Nugent. The striker collects and rolls it back into the path of Vardy, whose shot across goal is tipped away by Szczesny.

BOOKING! The first yellow card of the afternoon is shown to Hammond, who rashly went in studs-up on Ramsey.

Ramsey tries to dink the ball into the path of the marauding Debuchy, but it's a little overhit and Leicester get to the ball first. Not long to go!

Into the final minute and De Laet has just won a corner for Leicester. Can they score a memorable winner?

BOOKING! It's a weak floated delivery from the right and Szczesny claims before he is stopped from releasing the ball quickly by Moore's tug. The Leicester man is booked. THREE MINUTES ADDED ON.

Drinkwater lines up a shot from 25 yards, but his left-foot effort was always veering wide of the post. Just a minute left now.

FULL-TIME: LEICESTER 1-1 ARSENAL

One apiece it finishes then, with both goals coming in three first-half minutes. Alexis Sanchez put the Gunners ahead before Leonardo Ulloa powerfully headed Leicester level.

We now have a two-week international break and this is how the table looks going into it. Three games gone of the 2014-15 season. Arsenal 7th, Leicester 15th.


Time for us to say goodbye, thanks for joining us this afternoon for another enthralling Premier League clash. There might not be any Premier League footy for a couple of weeks, but there's loads more to see on Sports Mole, so don't go anywhere!

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson looks on ahead of the Championship playoff semi-final against Watford on May 9, 2013
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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
20Southampton1512121131-205


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