Vardy rescues Foxes against 10-man Gunners

Arsenal 1

Leicester City 1

Jamie Vardy’s 22nd goal of the season snatched a point for Leicester against 10-man Arsenal at the Emirates this evening.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 20th Premier League strike this term looked to have given the in-form Gunners another three points.

But Vardy proved the thorn in Arsenal’s side yet again with an 86th-minute leveller after substitute Eddie Nketiah’s dismissal on 72 minutes.

Leicester started the brighter of the two teams. Vardy pounced on a David Luiz slip on nine minutes but saw his 25-yard shot well saved by Emiliano Martinez, who has been impressive of late since replacing the injured Bernd Leno in the Arsenal goal.

Then just three minutes later poor defending from Arsenal allowed Marc Albrighton free along the byline following a one-two with Ayoze Perez from a corner.

Albrighton found Kelechi Iheanacho on the edge of the Arsenal box with his centre, but his shot was once again well saved by Martinez.

After that the Gunners took control of the first half, and would have been more than the one goal in front at the break if not for the impressive efforts of Kasper Schmeichel, now surely one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers.

His first stop came from a spectacular effort from Kieran Tiernery, whose half volley from 30 yards was well held by the Dane on 20 minutes.

Arsenal took the lead on just a minute later. The impressive Dani Ceballos, who has been in fine form of late, found Bukayo Saka down the right.

He twisted and turned Jonny Evans before leaving the Irishman on his back and providing a perfect cross from which Aubameyang could not miss.

Just minutes after the goal Aubameyang looked to repay Saka’s compliment, but his cross was cut out by Caglae Soyuncu.

Then Schmeichel made three vital stops in as many minutes, first with his legs from Saka, then from a fierce Alexandre Lacazette drive and finally from Hector Bellerin’s cross-shot.

And there was time for another fine stop from Schmeichel six minutes before the break.

Ceballos set Bellerin free down the right, the Spaniard found Lacazette with a fine cross, but once again Schmeichel came to the rescue for Leicester.

The Foxes were the better side in the second period.

After Schmeichel made another good stop shortly after the restart – this time from a Luiz free-kick, the away side has a number of decent chances.

First Vardy’s pinpoint cross from the right found Iheanacho, whose volley was well stopped by Martinez.

Then after Perez’s cross Vardy looked certain to score but mishit his shot.

But Leicester’s cause was boosted when Nketiah was dismissed on 72 minutes.

Going for a bouncing ball his studs caught James Justin and, after a dozen checks from VAR referee Chris Kavanagh was called to the TV monitor and decided to brandish the red card.

And just seven minutes later Vardy snatched the Foxes’ point, converting a right-wing cross.

Arsenal: Martinez, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Bellerin, Ceballos, Xhaka, Tierney, Saka, Lacazette, Aubameyang.