Arteta's Arsenal Fends Off Foxes

Gameweek 10. Arsenal vs Leicester at the King Power Stadium. Coming off 6 straight league wins (8 in all competitions), the Gunners looked to keep the streak going. Arsenal did just that, coming out with a solid 2-0 win.

Mikel Arteta – 9

Brilliant job (again) from Arteta. He set up in a 442, replicating the squad that faced Villa. I’m not completely sure what he says in the dressing room pre-game but it works amazingly. The team came out firing again today and were energetic from the offset. He equipped the team with the tactics to pick apart the Foxes and did well to retake control of the game in the second half. 17 points out of the last possible 21.

Aaron Ramsdale – 10

Aaron.

Freaking.

Ramsdale.

Oh my word. I would give him a 15/10 if I could. That is the single best goalkeeping performance I have seen since De Gea’s ‘Save the Titanic’ game in a 3-1 win against Arsenal. As a matter of fact, it is singlehandedly the best goalkeeping performance I have ever witnessed. That free kick save too… how on Earth did he get to that, turn it onto the crossbar and get up in time to keep the rebound out. Easily save of the season – argue with your wall. Came up with a multitude of massive saves to deny the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Jamie Vardy, James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.

Still undefeated in the Premier League after 7 games. The best English GK in the world right now.

Nuno Tavares – 8

He was everywhere in the first half when Arsenal controlled possession, filling the void that Tierney’s injury left perfectly. For the second half, however, he got swamped down his side due to the introduction of Lookman and the formation switch by Leicester meant he got outnumbered, yet he still played his part in grabbing the clean sheet.

Gabriel – 9

Another brilliant performance from the Brazilian. An impressive flick on header to open the scoring for the Gunners, making it 4 goals from corners in 5 games, which he followed up with a strong showing in defence.

Ben White – 8.5

Did brilliantly to cover the wings when they were overloaded and was a rock in the middle of the box. Dealt with everything in a strong showing beside Gabriel and was vital in securing the clean sheet. A few fouls on Maddison in dangerous areas but overall, a good game.

Takehiro Tomiyasu – 8

He had a similar game to our other full back. Was quite solid and influential in the first half and was a little more defensive than Tavares. He too got overwhelmed as the game progressed, especially by Harvey Barnes who wreaked havoc down his side of the pitch. At the end of the day, he did enough for the clean sheet, including a brilliant tackle to deny Vardy from getting in behind.

Emile Smith-Rowe – 9

THE SMITH. Another mental game from the Hale End graduate. He was in all the right places in possession, paying off as he slotted home a lose ball in the Leicester box. If Salah didn’t decide to put up Ultimate Team numbers this month the POTM award would easily be his.

Thomas Partey – 8

Another solid performance from Partey. He bossed the midfield in possession and did well to weather the storm when we didn’t have the ball. He did well to keep the ball and exploit the Leicester midfield, playing a big part in both goals, especially the second.

Albert Sambi Lokonga – 7.5

Sambi had one of the quieter games out of the whole team. He did well when Arsenal were able to control the ball in the first half, however he fell very quiet in the second half. All in all he pushed through the full 90, playing his part in the win.

Bukayo Saka – 8.5

Saka did well on the right-hand side once more. He didn’t feature as much as his fellow Hale End graduate Smith-Rowe, yet a delicious corner was enough for him to walk away with an assist.

Alexandre Lacazette – 8

Lacazette was getting in all the right areas in the first half as Arsenal bombarded the Leicester box. Played a big part (whether he knew about it or not) in the lead up to Smith-Rowe’s goal. Much quieter in the second half but did his part in pressing and winning the ball back.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 8.5

He was really unlucky to have a tap-in denied by a good Schmeichel save. He was brilliant in leading the lines and pressing up as well as dropping back. Influential in the build up play when we had the ball as well.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Martin Odegaard – 8

It took a bit to truly get going after coming on in the 58th minute, however he did eventually help the team hold the ball and get on the front foot more.

Nicolas Pepe – 7

Didn’t have much time to make an impact.

Sead Kolasinac – 7

Good to see him back on the pitch but didn’t really have enough time to make an impact.

MAN OF THE MATCH:

Aaron Ramsdale – 10

The. Best. English. Goal. Keeper. In. The. World. Right. Now.

Argue with your wall.