Arsenal player ratings as 9/10 stands out and 'poor' star lands 5/10 in dramatic Leicester City win

Arsenal required a stoppage time winner to defeat Leicester City on Saturday afternoon after giving up a two-goal lead in the second half.

The Gunners took the lead with 20 minutes on the clock when Jurrien Timber pulled a cross back into the path of Gabriel Martinelli, who turned home with his first touch. The second goal, which arrived in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, was almost a carbon copy, this time Martinelli pulling the ball back for Leandro Trossard to turn home.

A Leicester goal just two minutes after the restart rocked the Gunners, James Justin heading home thanks to a deflection off Kai Havertz, and the Foxes equalised in the 63rd minute when Justin was left alone at the far side of the box, rifling home a first-time volley off the inside of the post.

Mikel Arteta’s men pushed for a winner and didn’t look as though they would get one until three minutes into stoppage time, when Leandro Trossard turned another dangerous corner goalwards to make it 3-2, the ball trickling in after a deflection. And there was time for an Arsenal fourth, with Justin hammering the ball in off Havertz right at the death. Here we rate each player’s performance.

David Raya - 6

The deflection meant he couldn’t do too much about the first Justin goal. He had no chance of saving the second.

Riccardo Calafiori - 5

Looked to get forward and played a role in the second goal. He was caught out coming too central early in the first half, and he did the same in the second, this time getting punished. Justin was given far too much space, although the finish was admittedly brilliant. Perhaps a sign of Calafiori being more used to playing centrally.

Gabriel Magalhaes - 7

Not a lot he could have done about either goal. Otherwise solid enough.

William Saliba - 7

The same applies to Saliba, with neither of the centre-backs responsible for the goals conceded.

Jurrien Timber - 7

Provided the cross for the opener, working hard to overlap to Saka’s right. It didn’t look as though he got a clear connection for the cross, but he still picked out Martinelli nicely. Solid enough defensively.

Declan Rice - 6

Solid on and off the ball with Arsenal’s midfield playing well here, but he will have wanted to have more of a say, not getting the chance to run the game.

Thomas Partey (Off at 85’) - 7

Physical as ever in the middle, shrugging off opponents aplenty. Did his role well here.

Leandro Trossard (Off at 90+7) - 9

Worked very hard from the first moment, pressing in the attacking midfield role. A nice first-time finish for the second goal, capping perhaps his best half of football all season. Hit the post in the second half and remained impactful right to the end, scoring the winning goal by popping up at the back post and turning in a corner with a composed touch on the volley, albeit with the help of a deflection.

Bukayo Saka - 7

Nice work in the build-up to the opener. A danger as always on the ball, and put together some nice runs despite a lot of the space being on the other side. His corners continue to be lethal.

Gabriel Martinelli (Off at 74’) - 8

A fine finish for the opener after he failed to show composure with an early chance. He drifted into a good position for the goal and picked out the bottom corner wonderfully with his first touch. He then turned provider to cut the ball back for Trossard for the second goal. A strong performance from Martinelli, who got lots of space out wide.

Kai Havertz - 5

Defensively poor for the first Leicester goal. He should have been far quicker to get tighter to James Justin, and the ball deflected in off his shoulder as a result of his late arrival. That was a header he should have been in place to win. He scored with a slice of luck at the very end, but Havertz is not creating enough danger at the top end of the pitch. You wonder when Arteta will view his hard work as not being enough, with Arsenal needing more in front of goal.

Substitutes

Raheem Sterling (On at 74’) - 6

Bright and tried to make things happen against a deep Leicester back-line late on. No joy on that front, but he worked hard.

Ethan Nwaneri (On at 85’) - 6

Came on for Partey and almost scored instantly with a long range strike. He didn’t really have enough time to have a big say on the game, but performed his role well.

A late stoppage substitution. He got a shot off on goal that created the opportunity for Havertz to score at the death.