Lowell Hornby on Arsenal beating Leicester: We're loving this

Lowell Hornby reflects on Arsenal beating Leicester as Liverpool loom as big week continues



Lowell Hornby on Arsenal beating Leicester: We're loving this

Bukayo Saka of The Arsenal against Leicester on Sunday


Well that was lovely.

Another huge three points, and another one ticked off.

A three points that holds even more gravitas with Spurs’ loss at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Bar a shaky 15 minutes at the end of the first half we were completely dominant. Just to appease Fat Harry (of the famous Fat Harry’s Hot Dogs by Arsenal station) and his request of a mention, he agreed.

Anyway, some of the football was a joy to watch. It’s the best it has been here for a while, and we’re all loving every minute of it.

It’s nice to go into games justifiably expecting a win again.

Most home games, bar Liverpool and City (and Chelsea at the start of the season, I’d back us now) I think we all go into expecting a win.

We’re better than everyone else.

For so long Arsenal have been completely unpredictable in their manner, all teams are but it seemed a common theme with Arsenal.

We could smash United one week and be outplayed by Watford the next. You almost know what you’re going to get from Arteta’s side now. We’re very solid, with the attacking flair to fluidly rip through any side.

The home form is much more convincing than it has been for a while, and once again the Emirates feels like a place that you really don’t want to come to again - even if you’re Liverpool.

We started really well again, and a goal looked to be inevitable after 10 minutes of intense probing from the Arsenal front men. Ø was fantastic again, and brilliantly created a chance for Martinelli who was just offside.

The goal came in the 11th minute, and it unsurprisingly came from a corner. Just like it did in the game at the King Power, Leicester’s Achilles heel (and Arsenal’s strength) undid them early on.

A perfect delivery from Martinelli, and Thomas Partey rose at the near post to nod home. 1-0, and we deserved absolutely nothing less. We then pushed on, and the front line looked smoking hot.

The flowing moves were fantastic, and nearly led to a goal as Partey hit the bar. As my dad said, if you map out his shooting narrative, he’s going to score his next one.

Our bright opening 25 started to fizzle out though, and Leicester had the better of the last 15/20 - the pinnacle of which being a Harvey Barnes header which forced Ramsdale into a fantastic reflex save.

A couple of minutes later, he sliced a pinpoint pass into Bukayo Saka out of his hands. That’s what he’s about. What a keeper, and what an unbelievable signing he has turned out to be.

HT, and it was a little bit tense because of that last 15.

I said to my dad though, Mikel will see that and sort it.

Sort it he did, he tweaked something (I don’t know what) and we returned to a position of complete control.

Another set piece did the trick for 2-0. Soyuncu very clearly handled the ball as Partey went to head home which brought a penalty.

I still refused to celebrate the penalty being given as our record is so poor, but Laca stroked it into the top corner to double our lead. It’s so nice to see him back on the scoresheet, he does so much for this team. 

We managed the rest of the game superbly, playing incredible football whilst at it. Ø was unbelievable again.

I’m falling in love with him more every time I watch him, he is an absolute joy to watch. Some of the things he does are astonishing, and he’s just an astonishingly good footballer.

Ditto (to a lesser extent) Thomas Partey.

He’s been a revelation since moving to that number 6 position. Granit Xhaka too, has been flawless since moving into the number 8. Ben White was solid as ever, and Gabriel was immense as he wound up Iheanacho constantly. We’re a really good side again, no matter where we finish. Everyone can see it. Arsenal are really fun to watch again. 

The first of a big three games in six days ticked off, but a real test awaits us on Wednesday.

A title chasing Liverpool come to the Emirates but, as I said before, the Emirates is one of the last places they will want to come right now.

We are on the crest of a wave right now, and Wednesday’s result will not change that.

Until then, Gunners.


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