Premier League: Ramsdale heroics preserve Arsenal's 2-0 win at Leicester

Goals in the opening 18 minutes by center back Gabriel and midfielder Emile Smith Rowe put Arsenal in command before Ramsdale took center stage.

Published : Oct 30, 2021 19:18 IST , LEICESTER

Ramsdale's save to tip wide Kelechi Iheanacho’s curling shot as well as his flying leap across his line to palm a free kick by James Maddison onto the crossbar saved the win for the Gunners.
Ramsdale's save to tip wide Kelechi Iheanacho’s curling shot as well as his flying leap across his line to palm a free kick by James Maddison onto the crossbar saved the win for the Gunners.
lightbox-info

Ramsdale's save to tip wide Kelechi Iheanacho’s curling shot as well as his flying leap across his line to palm a free kick by James Maddison onto the crossbar saved the win for the Gunners.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was the star of the show as Arsenal made it nine games unbeaten in all competitions with a 2-0 victory at Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.

Arsenal has been steadily improving under coach Mikel Arteta after a difficult start to the season, following on from last term's eighth-placed finish.

AS IT HAPPENED | Arsenal vs Leicester Highlights

The victory that kept Arsenal climbing the table on Saturday - it is now up to fifth in the standings with other teams still to play this weekend - came about thanks to the big helping hands of its goalkeeper.

Arsenal flew out of the traps at the King Power Stadium, taking a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes through Brazilian centre Gabriel Magalhaes and live wire Emile Smith Rowe.

Leicester grew into the match after its laboured start and had several chances to get itself back into the contest before half time, only to find Gunners keeper Ramsdale in inspired form.

Ramsdale's leap to keep James Maddison's free-kick out just before half time was a contender for save of the season, as he clawed the ball away in spectacular fashion to prevent it flying into the top corner.

"Maddison is a top free-kick taker. I've come up against him a couple of times in the league and training with the Under-21s so I was worried he was going to reverse it," Ramsdale told BT Sport.

"He didn't have too much pace on it which allowed me to get there, but it was just one of those days where it seemed like I was saving everything which was thrown at me and the lads were blocking everything - top day all round."

After the break, Leicester continued to create chances which on another day it would have converted, but Ramsdale refused to be beaten, bailing his side out time and again to ensure a vital victory on Arsenal's road to recovery.

A seventh win in that unbeaten run of nine means Arsenal climbed above Leicester who drop to 10th, with its inconsistent form this term hurting them.

"It is a superb result away from home against a top team," Ramsdale said. "We started really well and got two good goals.

"Thankfully it was one of those afternoons that I contributed. We should have had a few more clean sheets (this season) but I'm happy with this one."

The visitor did not have to wait long for the opener, as Gabriel flicked a header home from Bukayo Saka's corner.

Arsenal continued to completely dominate the hosts, which beat Manchester United in its last home league match, and soon enough Smith Rowe latched onto the loose ball to make it two.

Ramsdale's first intervention came in the 29th minute as he sprung to his right to deny Kelechi Iheanacho, before the Arsenal keeper pulled out a stop we will be seeing for years to come from Maddison. He even had the awareness to get to his feet to keep out the rebound as well.

Leicester full back Luke Thomas drilled wide early in the second half as Leicester continued to press, before another brilliant Ramsdale save denied Ademola Lookman.

Ramsdale was then at it again to smother at the feet of Harvey Barnes, as he proved unbeatable.

Of the goalkeepers to have faced more than two shots on target this season, only Edouard Mendy (89.7%) is enjoying a higher save percentage than Ramsdale (85.7%), who has saved 24 of the 28 shots on target he has faced.

Arteta said Ramsdale, who has yet to win a full international cap, must keep working hard.

"I think when you dream big, it's always positive. Keep your feet on the ground," Arteta said.

"He needs to be doing what he's doing every day. Train the way he does, work as hard as he does, look after himself, have the mentality he has, and good performances ... the rest will come."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment