Misfiring Gunners Records they did not want
In the penultimate game of Arsene Wenger’s farewell tour of the Premier League, Leicester City finally found a way to beat him.
Wenger had not lost in 22 games against Leicester before this, but late goals from Jamie Vardy – the striker he tried and failed to sign two years ago – and Riyad Mahrez, in possibly his last home appearance for the Foxes, sealed defeat.
Those goals in the final 14 minutes shattered the Wenger curse and gave Claude Puel a sorely needed victory, ensuring Arsenal are still waiting for their first away point in 2018. Wenger has one last chance to end that unwanted record at Huddersfield on Sunday.
Arsenal played for 75 minutes with 10 men after the dismissal of Konstantinos Mavropanos and, despite an equaliser from Pierreemerick Aubameyang, their misery on the road continues. There was also a contentious penalty decision after Demarai Gray was fouled by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, with Vardy converting the spot-kick, and Arsenal are enduring their worst run away from home since 1966.
Wenger said: “I feel that our team at home has championship-winning form but away we have a lack of confidence because of a few bad results. It is very sad because the decisions went against us and we are upset that we lost a game we should not have lost.
“I disagreed with the red card because he was not the last man. There was also a creative and imaginative aspect from the referee for the penalty – watch it again, it’s a nice dive and not a penalty.
“But there’s something special in this team that will come out next year, I’m convinced they will be one of the contenders.” Wenger also reiterated his belief that Jack Wilshere will sign a new contract, with the midfielder absent here as his wife had gone into labour.
Arsenal did start well but Vardy, often isolated up front under Puel’s possession-based approach, produced a chance entirely of his own making which led to the opener. Vardy twisted Rob Holding inside out before his shot was pushed away by goalkeeper Petr Cech. After Mahrez’s corner was only half-cleared, Christian Fuchs’s cross was headed back by Fousseni Diabate to Kelechi Iheanacho, whose finish was clinical.
Leicester’s win was their first over the Gunners in the league since November 1994.
Arsenal have lost seven consecutive top-flight away matches for the first time since January 1966. But at least it is not as bad as 1925 when the Gunners suffered 13
Then came the pivotal moment for Mavropanos, making his third successive league start. Iheanacho charged down the 20-year-old’s attempted pass and was then pulled back as he prepared to bear down on goal. It was an easy decision for referee Graham Scott.
The equaliser came in the 53rd minute after Ashley Maitland-niles produced a fine run down the right to find Aubameyang in the area. Though Eldin Jakupovic brilliantly consecutive away defeats.
This is the first time Arsenal have conceded more than 50 goals in a Premier League campaign and the first time in the top flight since 1983-84. Jamie Vardy has scored 24 goals against the Big Six sides saved the striker’s first effort, Aubameyang’s shot on the rebound gave the Leicester goalkeeper no chance.
Leicester appeared out of ideas until Gray, a substitute, was clumsily brought down by Mkhitayaran in the box. Wenger was going apoplectic in the technical area but Vardy made no mistake for his 21st goal of the season. Mahrez sealed the win with a breakaway goal in the final minute.
Puel said: “The performance was important to make amends for our last two matches. It was a good feeling to win our last home game.”
Leicester Booked Arsenal Booked Referee Subs