• Leicester City 1-1 Arsenal, Premier League

Arsenal held by Ulloa-inspired Leicester

ESPN staff
August 31, 2014
Leonardo Ulloa heads in Leicester's equaliser, though Laurent Koscielny's involvement was a talking point © Getty Images
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Leonardo Ulloa continued his perfect home record for Leicester in the Premier League to help the newly promoted side to a 1-1 draw against Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger's side had taken the lead in the 20th minute when Alexis Sanchez pounced on static defending in the Leicester ranks, reacting quickest when Kasper Schmeichel blocked Yaya Sanogo when put through on goal.

Match Analysis

  • Man of the Match: Leonardo Ulloa proved a handful for an Arsenal defence that was often unsure of itself - though he really should have been the match-winner having spurned a great opportunity in the second half.
  • Villain: Whoever sent Laurent Koscielny back out on to the field when he was probably concussed. His effort at the Leicester equaliser spoke volumes for how his head was feeling.
  • Key Moment: Ulloa's second-half chance was at first a superb demonstration of his vision, then a horrible depiction of his finishing skills. That was the three points right there.
  • Steven Saunders

However, Leicester were level on the very next attack when a cross from the right by Jeffrey Schlupp eluded Laurent Koscielny, with Ulloa meeting it perfectly to direct it beyond Wojciech Szczesny in the Arsenal goal. It was Ulloa's second goal of the season in two matches at the King Power Stadium, having also scored on the opening day against Everton.

Koscielny departed soon after having taken a knock to the head early in the match, causing some debate over whether he should have still been on the field when the goal was scored under the Premier League's new concussion guidelines.

It was Leicester who forced the better chances in the second half. Ulloa arguably should have done better when he cut inside a sliding challenge before lifting a shot into the side netting. Szczesny was also forced into a smart save by a Jamie Vardy shot with seven minutes to go.

The result leaves Arsenal in seventh place with five points from their first three games, while Leicester are 16th with two points, ahead of Everton and West Brom on goal difference.

Leicester were unchanged from their 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, reverting back to full strength following Tuesday's 1-0 League Cup defeat to Shrewsbury.

Premier League Results & Stats

Raheem Sterling set Liverpool on their way against Tottenham © Getty Images

Former Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso was among the substitutes after completing his free transfer on Thursday. He would have been impressed with Leicester's bright start as they took the game to the visitors.

Arsenal suffered an early blow when Koscielny clashed heads with Schlupp, forcing the defender off for treatment and allowing Leicester to carve out a chance against 10 men. Riyad Mahrez swapped passes with David Nugent but his 25-yard effort skidded just past the post.

It was a sign of the hosts' intent but they were undone on 20 minutes when Sanchez, making his first league start, pounced. Neat play saw Santi Cazorla loft the ball to Sanogo and, when the striker made a hash of his effort, the ball fell to Sanchez to smash in from six yards.

The lead lasted just two minutes though as Per Mertesacker allowed Schlupp to run and his cross was crashed in by Ulloa from 12 yards. The striker beat Koscielny to the ball with the Frenchman still feeling the after-effects of his knock and he was immediately replaced by Calum Chambers.

The goal was no more than Leicester deserved for their tenacious start and while they lacked Arsenal's style their efforts unsettled their opponents.

Yaya Sanogo struggled against the hosts' backline with Leicester closing ranks to deny Cazorla and Mesut Ozil space but with Sanogo floundering there was little focal point.

David Nugent and Ulloa were busy for Leicester though and Chambers was almost caught out by Nugent in stoppage time but wriggled free before Mahrez fired at Szczesny.

Ulloa continued to threaten after the break and should have fired Leicester ahead on 53 minutes. Schlupp's ball dissected Arsenal and when Chambers dived in the striker could only hit the side netting from eight yards.

Arsenal immediately broke and Aaron Ramsey headed straight at Schmeichel with Sanogo waiting for a tap-in before the striker himself was thwarted by Schmeichel's smart save.

Leicester's threat began to wane as Arsenal dominated possession without breaching the organised hosts.

Lukas Podolski and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced Cazorla and Sanogo but Leicester remained defiant and almost snatched it on 84 minutes. Substitute Vardy broke from a corner and swapped passes with Nugent, only to be denied by Szczesny.

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