Aaron Ramsdale produced Saving a Life – his Arsenal teammates gave the time of their lives.
First-half goals from Gabriel and Emile Smith Rowe gave Arsenal tight control of this match before Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers knew what hit them.
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And when the Foxes coach turned the game on its head in the first half by introducing wide boys Harvey Barnes and Ademola Lookman, they couldn’t find a way to get past Ramsdale.
Any questions raised at the time of the 23-year-old’s £30m transfer from Sheffield United were finally dismissed here at King Power as Ramsdale cemented his place as the undisputed No. 1.
One in particular will come across in Arsenal folklore and compete with the one-handed superstar David Seaman who famously challenged FA Cup glory Paul Pechisolido.
Shortly before the break, with Leicester searching for a lifeline, James Madison appeared to provide it when he fired a free kick over the Gunners’ wall.
His effort was hurtling towards the upper box when Ramsdale jumped to his left and somehow scratched the ball off the crossbar – then reacted like lightning to prevent Jonny Evans from collecting the rebound.
Even Peter Schmeichel took to Tweet: “Best salvage I’ve seen in years by Ramsdale,” accompanied by three applause emojis.
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When the opposing goalkeeper’s father gives you his approval, you know you’re doing something right.
He followed after the break with some franchise to challenge Jimmy Vardy, Harvey Barnes and Ademola Lookman to make a mockery of Leicester fans who tried to wrap him in chants: “You’re like *** Jordan Pickford!”
But his elimination was just as fun for Mikel Arteta as the convincing way to win for his team.
Arsenal have now recovered from their horrific start to the season to pillage 17 points from a potential 21 in their last seven games – having lost their first three games by 9-0.
This feels like a whole new team with a whole new mindset as Arteta has rid them of their soft position.
Just as important, they have lost only two of their last 12 games on the road.
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They set up their win before Leicester knew what hit them.
Five minutes later, Bukayo Saka hit a corner kick from the right, Jimmy Vardy got up early but couldn’t clear the ball as the ball broke off her barrier and quickly sped into the mixer.
Gabriel worked his way through the foxes’ weak defense to meet the flowing ball – with the back of his head.
With header back progressing, he should rank first with the best goals scored by the Gunner as he surpassed Kasper Schmeichel to land in the far corner of his net.
Leicester’s number rose after 18 minutes when they pulled back further.
Maddison fails to find Vardy and Lokonga steps in to send Saka for free.
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His attempt to set up Lacazette in the box was halted when the Frenchman could not get the ball off his feet.
However, Luke Thomas gave him his hand by extending to hit the ball into the trajectory of Emile Smith Rowe, and the No. 10 cannon gleefully hit it behind Schmeichel.
It was Smith’s fourth goal in seven games – the same number he scored in 33 games last season.
He summed up the overall improvement in Arteta’s hungry new Arsenal squad.
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