Arsenal beat Leicester thanks to own goal

An own goal by defender Robert Huth in the 87th minute helped Arsenal win 1-0 when hosting Leicester in the make-up match of round 28 of the Premier League on the evening of April 26.

Three points in the make-up match help Arsenal continue to maintain the race for a Champions League ticket. Photo: Reuters

Arsenal had a lot of trouble against Leicester's tight defense and quick counterattacks. However, with only three minutes left in regulation time, Wenger's team got a goal quite fortunately. Nacho Monreal's shot hit Robert Huth and went into the net, bringing the only goal of the match.

With three points won in the make-up match, Arsenal surpassed Everton to rank sixth. Coach Wenger's team is only three points behind the team above them, Man Utd, and four points behind the fourth-placed Man City. The opportunity to enter the top four and win a ticket to the Champions League next season is still open for the "Gunners".

Arsenal faced many difficulties against Leicester. Photo: Reuters

After the success in the match against Crystal Palace in the previous round, coach Wenger continued to use the three-defender formation with Monreal, Kosciely and Paulista defending in front of Petr Cech's goal. Alexis Sanchez played the highest position in the attack, behind him were Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott.

Arsenal were in high spirits after beating Man City and reaching the FA Cup final. However, the team could not enter the match with enthusiasm when they encountered Leicester's tight defense and quick counterattacks. The Gunners only had two scoring opportunities in the first half, but Walcott's close-range shot in the 27th minute could not beat goalkeeper Schmeichel, while Sanchez's shot from the edge of the box hit the crossbar in the 45+1st minute.

On the other side of the front line, Leicester also created three good chances with quick counter-attacks. Unfortunately, goalkeeper Petr Cech was too excellent, successfully blocking Mahrez's close-range volley in the 27th minute and the ball went close to the edge of Arsenal's net twice.

In the second half, Arsenal continued to be stuck in attack, coach Wenger began to show impatience, standing up to give instructions continuously instead of sitting quietly like in the first half. To increase the strength of the front line, the French strategist continuously sent Welbeck, Ramsey and Giroud onto the field. However, the situation was not much better.

Robert Huth's own goal left the reigning Premier League champions empty-handed at Arsenal. Photo: Reuters

While they were stuck, Arsenal got a lucky goal in the 87th minute. Monreal's shot went wide of Leicester's goal but accidentally hit Huth and changed direction, going into the net, leaving goalkeeper Schmeichel helpless. This was the Gunners' 29th goal in the final 30 minutes of a Premier League match, the most of any of the 20 teams in the tournament.

According to VNE