Vardy rescues late point for Leicester at Arsenal

4 years ago 300

By Phil McNulty

Chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

Jamie Vardy

Vardy is the Premier League's top scorer with 22 goals

Jamie Vardy's late equaliser gave Leicester City a vital point to keep their Champions League hopes on track and end Arsenal's recent winning streak.

The Gunners looked on course for a fifth successive victory to maintain their outside chances of a place in Europe's elite competition next season at the expense of Leicester's similar ambitions after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang swept in his 20th league goal of the season in the first half.

Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel kept Arsenal at bay with a string of fine saves before the interval, twice denying Alexandre Lacazette as well as Bukayo Saka - and it proved to be a vital contribution.

Arsenal were reduced to 10 men with 15 minutes left when Eddie Nketiah was sent off just four minutes after coming on as substitute for a high challenge on James Justin, and Leicester cashed in on their numerical advantage when Vardy slid home Demarai Gray's cross in the 84th minute, the goal finally awarded after a lengthy VAR check for offside.

It was Vardy's 22nd league goal of the season and restored his two-goal advantage over Aubameyang at the top of the Premier League scoring charts.

Leicester drop to fourth place, four points ahead of Manchester United having played a game more, but this was an important point that left Arsenal frustrated in seventh.

Relive Arsenal's draw against Leicester

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