3 Players who let the side down in Arsenal 4-2 Leicester

It was an afternoon to forget for Leicester City in North London, with the Foxes’ hope instantly dwindling away every time they thought they could be back in the contest. Expectations were low heading into the clash with Arsenal, but the manner of the defeat was concerning, with some players opening themselves up for wider criticism with their questionable performances.

There were some bright sparks: Kelechi Iheanacho’s cameo and neat assist for James Maddison’s tidy finish, James Justin’s glimpses of promise, and the return to first team action for Dennis Praet. Scoring two goals away at a big 6 side is no mean feat, but conceding double that renders it irrelevant. Here are three players who let the side down in Arsenal 4-2 City.

Leicester City’s Danny Ward

As rumours began to swirl about Kasper Schmeichel’s imminent departure to OGC Nice, Foxes fans were seemingly promised a replacement for the great Dane. What they weren’t told at the time was that his replacement would be internal, and Ward did little to prove his credentials at the Emirates Stadium.

Ward gets a pass for goal number one – a delicate finish that many stoppers would struggle to reach – and while he might share a small portion of the blame for the second, the culpability for Gabriel Jesus’ back post header doesn’t sit entirely with the Welshman. Goal number three, however, so soon after William Saliba’s own goal had given the Foxes a lifeline, was a product of Ward failing to assert his authority nor command his penalty area. A mix up in communication with Wesley Fofana meant Ben White’s mediocre cross was fumbled, and before they knew it, Granit Xhaka had the small task of slotting the ball into an empty net.

The sticksman was powerless to prevent the Gunners’ fourth, as Gabriel Martinelli’s long-range drive nestled into his bottom corner. A tough afternoon for the goalkeeper, who has now been at fault for goals in two of his last four starts for the East Midlanders, but he must keep his head up and understand that his performances must improve for him to maintain his starting berth.