Post-Match Report

Leicester 0-0 Arsenal - Match Report

16/17: Leicester v Arsenal - Francis Coquelin

Leicester City -

King Power Stadium
Premier League
Premier League
  Leicester City
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Leicester City
0 0
  Arsenal
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Arsenal

By Josh James at King Power Stadium

SUMMARY

Last season's top-two sides played out a goalless draw in a tense, tight contest at King Power Stadium.

Kasper Schmeichel had to claw away an inswinging Santi Cazorla free-kick, which was sneaking inside the far post, but neither keeper was called into too much action during an even opening 45 minutes.

Jamie Vardy fired wide when through on goal in the second half, as both sides looked dangerous on the break.

Arsรจne Wenger introduced Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud in search of a late winner, but both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils. 

SETTING THE SCENE

Laurent Koscielny was called in action for the first time since the Euro 2016 final, partnering Rob Holding, who kept his place in the centre of defence after making his debut against Liverpool.

Ozil and Giroud - the other players to be given an extended leave of absence after the Euros - were on the bench.

Granit Xhaka made his first Gunners start in midfield, while Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - who both made positive impacts from the bench last weekend - started in place of the injured Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi.

Nacho Monreal made his 100th Premier League appearance at left-back.

The last time Leicester played here, their fans were serenaded by Andrea Bocelli before kick off, as they celebrated becoming champions. And the team they named was very similar to their usual title-winning side from last term, with new signing Nampalys Mendy in for the departed N'Golo Kante.

Vardy, who scored three against Arsenal last season, led the line up front.

FIRST HALF

The game started at a fast and furious pace, amid a predictably raucous atmosphere at the home of the champions.

In the very first minute, Vardy broke into the box early on, but Koscielny was quickly across to snuff out the danger, and force a corner.

Mark Albrighton then swung the cross in to the far post, which just evaded the head of Wes Morgan.

Arsenal settled and began to come forward themselves. Cazorla won a corner when his long-range effort was deflected wide.

The visitors were dominating possession, but were largely restricted to long-range shots, while Vardy remained a constant threat on the break.

Hector Bellerin was attacking frequently on the right wing, and one such overlap nearly provided Theo Walcott with a tap in, but Morgan was in the right place to cut out the danger.

Right at the end of the half Leicester were adamant they should have had a penalty when Koscielny slid in to dispossess Danny Drinkwater, but Mark Clattenburg waved away the protests. 

SECOND HALF

Arsenal launched a promoiusinig counter-attack at the start of the second half, but Theo Walcott was unable to find Bellerin on the overlap on the right wing.

Riyad Mahrez dipped a free-kick just over the bar after Coquelin tripped him just outside the box.

 The game continued to ebb and flow, but clear cut chances were at a premium. Vardy was his usual livewire self though, and he seized on a mistake with 20 minutes left. He raced through one on one with Petr Cech, but shot wide of goal with Koscielny perhaps doing enough to distract him.   

Ozil and Jack Wilshere were introduced for the final 15 minutes, and the German was straight into the action, setting up a chance for Walcott, but his shot was tame.

Ozil beat the offside trap and ran on to an Alexis throughball, only to be denied at the near post by Schmeichel, as the game opened up in the closing stages. 

The Gunners couldn't find a way through the stubborn home defence though, and needed a fine Cech save from Mahrez in injury time to earn a point.

 It all means Arsenal are still without a win after the opening two games of the season. 

Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Attendance: 32008

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