English full-back James Justin nearly ended Arsenal’s five-match winning streak against Leicester City in the Premier League.
The Gunners needed two late goals from Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz to put a resilient Steve Cooper-led Leicester side to the sword at the Emirates.
26-year-old English versatile defender James Justin stole the spotlights with a second-half brace that pegged Arsenal to a 2-2 draw and changed the dynamics of the game.
However, the former Luton Town defender’s effort was undone by a late double from Trossard and Kai Havertz to seal a much-needed victory for the Gunners.
Arsenal and Leicester City records
Leicester City went into the game on the back of a winless five-match run. The Foxes recorded two defeats and three draws in the ongoing Premier League campaign.
Taking on a title contender away from home was set to be another difficult tie for the team. Also, they faced an uphill task of overturning unfavourable stats against the Londoners.
They had only managed just one victory in their last 26 matches at the Emirates against the Gunners. Arsenal dominated with 21 wins, drawing three and losing one.
Moreover, Arsenal’s dominant spell over the Foxes was evidenced in the Gunners’ perfect run against the visitors in the last five matches in the Premier League.
Major highlights of the game
Arsenal started the game on the front foot as the referee set the match rolling. They dominated the opening minutes but suffered an injury scare involving Gabriel Martinelli in the 8th minute.
The Brazilian was down for a few minutes after Leicester City player Skipp launched a wild tackle on him. However, he was able to continue with the game after he was attended to.
Arsenal’s first potent attempt on target came in the 16th minute. Bukayo Saka had found Martinelli, who was through on goal but he blew his effort wide off the bar.
Four minutes after the miss, Martinelli had another big chance to make it count. Jurrien Timber had caught out the visitors on the overlap and then produced a cut back into the box. Martinelli, left unmarked inside the box, perfectly poked it home, giving Arsenal a deserved lead and atoning for his earlier miss.
Despite going a goal down, Leicester City made little effort up front. They foundered on the offensives and frequently missed it on the counter.
In the 38th minute, Arsenal missed another big chance to double the lead. Leandro Trossard had stole his way to the byline and crossed the ball into the box. Kai Havertz planted a perfect header but the ball bounced off the post for a goal-kick.
Gabriel Martinelli nets Arsenal’s second
Leicester City’s struggle to race to the finish line without conceding another goal failed. Arsenal’s constant pressure paid off again as the hosts doubled the lead.
Martinelli provided the assist for the second goal. The Brazilian, left unmarked at the byline, crossed into the box and Leandro Trossard was perfectly placed to poke it home. The Gunners deservedly led 2-0 at the break with Leicester City showing no sign of a possible comeback.
Leicester City with a shocking lifeline goal in the second half
Leicester City registered no attempt on goal throughout the first half and were struggling against Arsenal’s searing pressure.
However, a magical start to the second half saw the Foxes nail home a lifeline goal. English full-back James Justin scored the stunner after his header from Bouanotte’s free-kick deflected off Kai Havertz and wrong-footed David Raya to halve the deficit.
James Justin strikes again to equalize
Three minutes after the hour-mark, Leicester City equalized against the run of play. It was James Justin again with a stunning curled strike.
The visitors had found Nigeria international Wilfried Ndidi on the left flank. Ndidi crossed into the box. Without allowing the ball to drop, James Justin unleashed a powerful right-footed strike, rippling the back of the net after it bounced off the post.
Notably, Leicester City’s two goals came from the team’s only two shots on target in the game. Arsenal held sway over proceedings.
After James Justin’s brace, Leicester City goalkeeper Hermansen nearly gave away a cheap goals with his poor pass but he was well-positioned to make another magical save, denying Leandro Trossard’s strike.
Arsenal continued to mount pressure to re-extend the lead after James Justin’s strike with Hermansen denying the Gunners on several occasions. Gabriel Martinelli came close to his hat-trick of goal contributions in the 53rd minute but was denied by a brilliant save by Hermansen.
Finally, Leicester City’s brink-wall defence was broken with two stoppage-time goals by Arsenal. Leandro Trossard had his flick from Saka’s corner-kick deflect off Ndidi into the back of the net.
A poor clearance by visitors’ defence led to Arsenal’s fourth and final goal. Justin had tried to clear the ball but mistakenly had it bounced off Kai Havertz and rolled into the net.
Proceedings ended with Arsenal grabbing a much-needed victory to stay put in the Premier League title race. The win has seen the team climb to the second spot on the Premier League table with 14 points – the same point as league leaders Manchester City, who are just one goal better than the Gunners.
Who is James Justin?
James Justin, 26, is an English professional footballer. Justin plays as a defender for Leicester City. He began his career at Kenilworth Road at Luton Town Academy in 2005.
After 10 years with the club’s youth teams, Justin graduated to the senior team in 2015. He spent four years with the club’s main team, making 19 appearances with six goals.
Justin signed for Leicester City in 2019. He joined the club for an undisclosed fee but on a five-year contract. He has made 103 league appearances, scoring four goals.
James Justin style of play
James Justin is known for his versatility – an attribute he utilized effectively in the Arsenal match. He can be used as a midfielder and a defender. Despite playing as a defender, he is a forward-leaning defender with an appetite for offensive football.
James Justin’s international career
James Justin played for England U-20 in 2017, making two appearances. In 2019, he transitioned to England U-21, making 8 appearances. He made his England senior team debut in 2022, winning only one cap.
James Justin Leicester City contract
Justin’s original contract was set to expire in 2024. He extended his deal with the club in 2022, signing a new four-year contract to continue till 2026. The 26-year-old has two years left on his contract.
