Arsenal returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they secured a 4-2 victory over Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners dominated the first half and took the lead when Jurriën Timber crossed low for Gabriel Martinelli, who scored his first Premier League goal of the season with an accurate finish. Martinelli was a regular spark in the home side’s attack for the opening 45 minutes, and was involved again before half-time as he provided the assist for Leandro Trossard to double the lead.

Manager Mikel Arteta looked at ease as his side had 76% possession towards the end of the first half, but it was just moments after the restart when the Foxes responded, with James Justin’s effort deflected through Kai Havertz from the free kick by Facundo Buonanotte.

Leicester City goalkeeper Mads Hermansen kept his side in it with saves against Gabriel Magalhães and then Trossard, before Justin’s spectacular effort was smashed in off the post to level the score. Hermansen was involved again when a poor pass from the back allowed Declan Rice to play in Trossard, only for the 29-year-old to see his effort saved.

Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri were introduced as Arsenal looked to grab a late winner, and after Hermansen made another save from Riccardo Calafiori, it was one corner too many in the 94th minute as Trossard’s effort was deflected by Wilfred Ndidi to seal the match to win. . Havertz added a late goal to cap it off with one of the final kicks of the game.

Positives

Arsenal’s victory takes them level with Manchester City as they continued to show how they continue to win games late on while being the best in the league at converting set pieces. Bukayo Saka’s performance was also notable, with an almost flawless performance on the day.

Negatives

There were a few moments where concentration could have been better, with Calafiori taking a chance on a yellow card, but those were minor quibbles in an otherwise convincing performance.

Manager rating (1-10)

Mikel Arteta, 7 — Arteta’s side created more than enough chances to win the match, and the Arsenal manager was unlucky to see his side concede after an anomalous set-piece and then a spectacular attack. Some may argue he could have introduced Sterling earlier, but the Gunners had a huge opportunity to regain the lead a minute before he came on.

Player Ratings (1-10; 10: Best. Players introduced after 70 minutes will not be rated)

GK David Raya, 5 — There was little for Raya to do as Arsenal dominated the first half, but he was forced to pick the ball out of his net just after the restart as Leicester City converted from their free-kick.

DF Riccardo Calafiori, 6 — The Italy international combined well with Martinelli as he advanced down the left flank and was cheered on to shoot by the Emirates Stadium crowd after his try against Manchester City last week. He could have been tighter on Justin before his attack, and was also careless with some challenges that may have seen him sent off on another day. The winner almost scored with a powerful header, but was denied by Hermansen.

DF Gabriel Magalhães, 6 — As usual, Gabriel was a constant threat from set pieces and came close to scoring when he forced a save from Hermansen. Composed in possession and helped his side’s attacks resume quickly after receiving the ball.

DF William Saliba, 7 — A strong display from Saliba saw him regularly win the ball back with aggressive challenges high up the pitch, allowing Arsenal to maintain the pressure as their opponents tried to clear the danger. Involved in the first goal when he challenged Jamie Vardy, who claimed a foul before the Gunners scored, but there didn’t seem to be much in it. Booked in the second half for a foul on Vardy.

DF Jurriën Timber, 7 — Timber did well against Leicester City’s attempts to counter-attack and did well against Stephy Mavididi’s threat. Registered an assist with a low cross delivered across the box to Martinelli.

MF Thomas Partey, 6 — He kept things moving in midfield by moving the ball to Arsenal’s more creative players, but he didn’t have much to do defensively, with the majority of Leicester City’s attacks going down the flanks.

MF Declan Rice, 7 — An all-round strong performance in midfield helped Rice control the game and consistently regain possession, impressing with his decision-making. Played in Trossard after a big mistake by Hermansen and was unlucky not to get an assist after the goalkeeper made up for it with a save.

MF Kai Havertz, 6 — The 25-year-old timed his runs deep into the penalty area and was able to connect with several crosses, but was unable to trouble the goalkeeper. He was also too deep for Leicester City’s free kick, meaning Justin’s effort ended up in his own goal. He got on the scoresheet late on to seal Arsenal’s 4–2 win.

F. W. Gabriel Martinelli, 8 — Martinelli always looked to beat his marker down the left flank and where he provided a regular option when Arsenal won the ball back high up the pitch. I got things going with a strong finish from Timber’s low cross, before turning to assist Trossard as the Gunners made it 2-0. Replaced by Sterling in the second half.

F.W. Leandro Trossard, 8 — The Belgium international got into consistently intelligent positions and was rewarded at the end of the first half when he finished accurately after Martinelli’s cutback. Missed a big chance in the second half, but made up for it with his effort that found the goal in the 94th minute.

F. W. Bukayo Saka, 9 — There was always the feeling that something could happen when Saka had the ball on the right flank, with Leicester City even struggling to deal with the 23-year-old when they played a double against him. He impressed as he beat his man down the line and cut inside, and he consistently carried the ball into dangerous areas before creating shooting opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes = no rating)

Raheem Sterling (on for Martinelli, 74″), N/R — Positive in possession and tried to beat his marker down the line but couldn’t get his deliveries into the box.

Ethan Nwaneri (Partey, 85″), N/R — He immediately got the crowd on their feet in a confident performance, and was involved as he helped win the corner that put Leicester under all kinds of pressure.

Gabriel Jesus (Trossard, 98″) N/R — Introduced when Arsenal wanted to see out the remainder of the match.