Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GOLDEN BEAUTS
Vardy saves Foxes and stays clear of rival Aubameyang
JAMIE VARDY made it 22 league goals for the season with a late equaliser to floor Arsenal and keep Leicester’s Champions League dream alive. Arsenal looked on course for a 1-0 victory thanks to Pierre-emerick Aubameyang’s early goal (above) – his 20th in the race for the Golden Boot.
But Vardy (left) was having none of it and nicked a point with an 84th-minute goal that knocked the stuffing out of the Gunners.
THE Mikel Arteta revolution is still very much a work in progress.
But this was an exciting glimpse into the future of the Arsenal he is trying to build – even if their night ended in frustration at the Emirates.
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy got an 87th-minute leveller to snatch a point from a game Arsenal should have had won by half time.
But they ultimately paid a heavy price for missed chances and a crazy red card.
The Gunners were left clinging on to Pierre-emerick Aubameyang’s first-half opener after substitute Eddie Nketiah was sent off just two minutes after coming on, VAR upgrading his yellow card to red for a rash and reckless challenge on Leicester’s James Justin.
You could easily pick out Aubameyang after the striker scored his 20th goal in the Premier League this season, which will only turn up the pressure on the club to tie him down to a new contract.
But it was also about the emerging talent of Bukayo Saka, after his 12th assist of the season in all competitions, and only Kevin De Bruyne and Trent Alexander-arnold have provided more.
Dani Ceballos was majestic in midfield with his range of passing, and there’s a new resilience in defence, as they did all the ugly things which Arsenal so often get accused of not doing.
There is a positivity running through the team which bodes well for the future because you can see the players buy into Arteta (far right) and his philosophy.
The drizzle in the air of a dank Tuesday evening made for a greasy, fast pitch and both teams played a terrific game at a lightning pace.
Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez made a terrific save from Kelechi Iheanacho after a short-corner routine between Marc Albrighton and Ayoze Perez as the Foxes looked lively.
But it was Arsenal who took the lead on 22 minutes after a brilliant, free-flowing move. Ceballos’ sublime pass released Saka down the right, the teenager pulled back an inch-perfect cross, which was on a plate for Aubameyang to score from close range.
Arsenal played with style and confidence, the front three of Saka, Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette combining brilliantly, and they could have been out of sight by half time.
Kasper Schmeichel made four excellent saves, as Saka’s movement and vision, together with Lacazette’s work rate and non-stop pressing, caused all sorts of problems.
How on earth Schmeichel got down to stop Lacazette’s low shot on the turn is anyone’s guess and he made further terrific saves from Hector Bellerin, Lacazette –
again – and Saka. The visitors regrouped after the break but still needed Schmeichel to stop David Luiz’s 20-yard free kick which flew through the defensive wall.
The Foxes went close, too, as Iheanacho forced a terrific stop from Martinez. Lacazette had an effort ruled out for offside before being subbed after running himself into the ground. But his replacement was sent off moments after coming on.
Referee Chris Kavanagh initially gave Nketiah (right) a yellow, but the ref checked with VAR, then went to look at the touchline monitor himself and changed his mind.
It was ultimately the right decision and Arsenal could not hold on, as Vardy netted a late leveller, even if that had to survive a late VAR check too.