DANNY WELBECK SECURES WIN FOR THE GUNNERS IN FIRST GAME BACK AFTER INJURY LAYOFF
It was a highly anticipated match filled with all the requirements to render it a classic as Danny Welbeck rose highest in the 5th minute of extra time to condemn Leicester to only their third defeat of the season.
The game started as expected with Arsenal controlling most of the possession and Leicester City attempting to break on the counter-attack. The deadlock was finally broken a few minutes before half- time when Leicester city was awarded a penalty for a contentious foul by Monreal on Jamie Vardy. Vardy duly stepped up and converted the penalty impressively, leaving Petr Cech with no chance.
The second half started much the same way, with Arsenal on the front foot but the major turning point in the game came just 6 minutes after the start of the second half when Danny Simpson was given a second yellow card for what some might view as a soft foul on Giroud and was consequently sent off.
Arsenal took full advantage of their numerical advantage as substitute Theo Walcott drew the game level with a smart side foot finish following a headed knock-down from Giroud. The game seemed to be heading to a stalemate as Sanchez, Ramsey and Giroud all spurned glorious chances to put the hosts ahead, Giroud forcing an incredible save from Kasper Schmeichel.
It wasn’t until the 95th minute when substitute Danny Welbeck, who was playing his first game after a 10 month injury layoff, headed in what would inadvertently be the winning goal from a free-kick by Mesut Ozil. This victory means Arsenal now close the gap on leaders Leicester City to 2 points and with 12 games left the league is as open as it has been in years.
