October 30, (THEWILL) – With a 2-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, Arsenal climbed up to fifth place in the Premier League table.
The Gunners got off to a far faster start than their opponents, with Gabriel and Emile Smith Rowe both scoring in the first 20 minutes. Just before half-time, Aaron Ramsdale made a fantastic stop from a James Maddison free kick to deny Leicester a goal.
Leicester got the better of the second half, but Ramsdale held them scoreless with two more great saves from substitutes Ademola Lookman and Harvey Barnes allowing Arsenal to go seven games without losing in the Premier League.
Arsenal were down to the bottom of the league after only three games this season. They had given up nine goals and scored none, leaving manager Mikel Arteta’s job in jeopardy going into the international break with some fans calling for his sack.
It is been quite the 180-degree turn. Arsenal has won five games and drawn two since then, and is now vying for a place in the top four. They have a youthful, versatile group, and the fact that they have not played in Europe this season could work to their advantage down the line.
Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea appear to be locked in a title war, but the final Champions League position could be up for grabs. Manchester United, Everton, and Tottenham Hotspur should all be in contention, and if West Ham and Brighton can maintain their early-season form, they will have a say as well.
Arsenal, who appear to be improving at a breakneck pace, will also benefit. What has helped them so far this season has been a defensive makeover with new entrants Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White and Nuno Tavares making a statement while man of the match goalkeeper Ramsdale keeping his post unbreachable for long periods.
Ramsdale’s save from Maddison’s free kick at the end of the first half might just be the save of the season. And when two EPL goalkeeping legends like Peter Schmeichel and David Seaman applaud him on social media, there must be something to say about his contributions to Arsenal’s season so far.
Saturday’s clean sheet came as a result of this one Ramsdale’s spectacular stop among a slew of others. And, with displays like these, the Gunners’ faithfuls will begin to believe once again in the project that Mikel Arteta and Edu, Arsenal Technical Director, are creating at the Emirates.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
