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➡ Arsenal 3 (Ozil 45, Aubameyang 63, 66)
➡ Leicester 1 (Bellerin 31-og)
Aubameyang, Ozil star as Arsenal make it perfect 10
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil stole the show as Arsenal swept to their 10th successive win with a dominant 3-1 victory against Leicester on Monday.
Unai Emery’s side trailed to Hector Bellerin’s first half own goal at the Emirates Stadium.
But Ozil, captaining Arsenal on his return to the side after back spasms, produced a majestic display to lead the Gunners’ impressive fightback.
Ozil, shrugging off his poor start to the season, equalised just before half-time and played a key role in Aubameyang’s second half double.
Gabon striker Aubameyang scored twice in quick succession after coming off the bench, ensuring Arsenal won 10 consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since 2007.
They have scored 30 goals in that blistering streak and climb to fourth place in the Premier League, just two points behind leaders Manchester City.
On the 69th birthday of Emery’s predecessor Arsene Wenger, this was the kind of swashbuckling show that recalled Arsenal’s glory days under the Frenchman.
It was the perfect start to a hectic week that sees Arsenal travel to Portugal for a Europa League tie against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday before returning to domestic action at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Emery has made a remarkable impact since replacing Wenger in the close-season.
The Spanish manager’s two-game losing streak at the start of his Arsenal reign is now a distant memory as Gunners fans start to dream of a title challenge after their seventh successive league win.
Initially, Arsenal struggled to get up to speed and Kelechi Iheanacho made a break behind Stephane Lichtsteiner, leaving him trailing in his wake as he cut into the area for a shot that was deflected over by Rob Holding.
Iheanacho threatened again moments later, taking possession on the edge of the area before unleashing a curling effort that Bernd Leno pushed away.
– Driving forward –
Leicester had a strong claim for a spot-kick when Holding raised his arm above his head and clearly handled as he jumped to meet Jamie Vardy’s flick on, yet referee Christopher Kavanagh waved play on.
Arsenal win 3-1, make it ten in a row, Aubameyang scores twice and yet the night belongs to Ozil. That was just magical. One of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt.
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) October 22, 2018
An absolutely stunning counter attack is finished off by Aubameyang. 3-1 Arsenal pic.twitter.com/qP0ZBm6tzO
— Terje (@TerjeMedia) October 22, 2018
Harry Maguire’s towering header forced a good save from Leno and Leicester’s pressure reaped a tangible reward in the 31st minute.
Wilfried Ndidi’s pass picked out Ben Chilwell, who made a superb run in behind Bellerin and drilled a low shot that deflected off the Arsenal defender on its way past the wrong-footed Leno.
Stunned into action by that setback, Arsenal nearly snatched an immediate equaliser when Granit Xhaka’s free-kick was tipped over by Kasper Schmeichel.
Suddenly, Arsenal were driving forward with purpose and they drew level on the stroke of half-time.
Ozil was the catalyst as his pass sent Bellerin away down the right and when the defender crossed into the Leicester area, it was the German midfielder who timed his run perfectly to guide a delicate finish into the far corner.
Ndidi led the Leicester response with a powerful header that rattled the bar from James Maddison’s corner.
But Emery sent on Aubameyang for Lichtsteiner after 61 minutes and it the match-winning switch paid instant dividends two minutes later.
Ozil played a superb pass to Bellerin and the Spaniard’s low cross was just right for the unmarked Aubameyang to slot home from close-range.
Aubameyang was in the right place at the right time again in the 66th minute as Arsenal conjured up another incisive raid.
This was Arsenal at their finest as Ozil and Lacazette combined to carve open the Leicester defence in a blur of flicks and tricks, presenting Aubameyang with a simple chance to tap in his eighth goal of the season.
Rounding off a depressing evening for Leicester, Vardy was forced off, leaving the visitors, who had already made all their substitutions, down to 10 men for the final minutes.
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10 IN A ROW
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/ づ pic.twitter.com/gWS1Gy6Qhy— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) October 22, 2018
Tough week starts with win
It was the first win at the start of a week that Emery still admits Arsenal will struggle to cope with a draining schedule.
The Gunners next travel to Portugal for a Europa League tie against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday before returning to domestic action at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
In contrast, Sporting were due to face Loures on Saturday night, giving them more time to recover before hosting Arsenal.
Emery has fielded a strong side in Arsenal’s previous Europa League matches, but he will be forced to rotate more heavily this time.
“We are one team with a very high level and very high demand for us,” he said.
“Every player, they need to feel they can play every match. With only three days difference between one match and another, you can’t do that.
“You can’t do that with play and rest, play and we can’t do that without changing players. But if I decide to play with the same players Monday, Thursday, Sunday, the players can’t do that.
“We want to play a lot of matches. We want to continue doing our way with different possibilities tactically and with the players – but with a lot of matches, we can’t do that.”
Arsenal are on a ten-match winning streak in all competitions, but their chances of extending that run past the coming week will be severely tested.
– ‘Not an excuse’ –
“The TV has the target to choose the matches Friday, Sunday, Monday. If they decided we are going to play Monday we don’t stop to think if it is better to play Monday or not,” Emery said.
“I prefer to play Saturday or Sunday. It (playing on Monday) has the advantage for more time to prepare the match – that’s one positive.
“After, we are going to play Thursday, we are going to play Sunday also, two matches very quickly after Leicester. For me it’s not an excuse because we are preparing for Monday.”
Meanwhile, Leicester manager Claude Puel earlier said he always knew Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette would come good.
Lacazette endured a difficult first season with Arsenal, but has five goals in 10 games this term.
Puel, who gave Lacazette his senior debut in 2010 when they were together at Lyon, said: “He is a complete player with good transition with the ball and without the ball. He is always available for the team.
“He works all the time and he has kept his clinical edge and I am not surprised about his quality and his good work with Arsenal.
“He started with me. His first game at the beginning he was always a striker but to find a place and get game time in the team he started as a winger.
“He had always the same quality and was clinical in the box.”
