Ramsdale heroics preserve Arsenal's 2-0 EPL win at Leicester

Published Oct. 30, 2021 9:30 a.m. ET
Associated Press

LEICESTER, England (AP) — Aaron Ramsdale produced a stunning goalkeeping performance to help Arsenal secure a 2-0 win at Leicester that extended the team's unbeaten run in the Premier League to seven games on Saturday.

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

If his save to tip wide Kelechi Iheanacho’s curling shot was impressive, it paled in comparison to a flying leap across his line to palm a free kick by James Maddison onto the crossbar just before half time. Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers was already celebrating a goal in his technical area.

Ramsdale, signed from relegated Sheffield United in the summer transfer window, also denied Ademola Lookman and Harvey Barnes with sprawling saves in the second half as Arsenal was forced to defend stoutly to preserve its clean sheet.

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Arsenal lost its first three league games, putting manager Mikel Arteta under some early-season pressure, but has responded by winning five of its next seven to soar into the top half of the standings.

Smith Rowe has been a big part of that and the 21-year-old midfielder made it three goals in his last five league games with the second against Leicester, slotting home from inside the area after the ball broke free when Luke Thomas tackled Alexandre Lacazette.

Gabriel put Arsenal ahead by glancing home a header from Bukayo Saka’s right-wing corner in the fifth minute.

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