Wout Faes pathetic as injured James Justin shines – Leicester ratings vs Arsenal
Arsenal scored twice late on through Mikel Merino to beat Leicester 2-0 at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is facing the sack after failing to improve his side, since taking over in November.
The first half-hour was a dull affair since Arsenal lost Kai Havertz to a hamstring tear this week, and lacked attacking impetus without the German.
Wilfred Ndidi had a wonderful chance, connecting to a Victor Kristiansen header on the stroke of half-time, but his effort glanced wide.
With an hour on the clock, Ethan Nwaneri picked up the ball and whipped it into the top corner, with the ball just glancing off the bar.
Myles Lewis-Skelly defended a cross from Jordan Ayew brilliantly, denying Bobby Reid a tap-in as he turned the ball round the post in the 72nd minute.
Merino opened the scoring in the 80th minute, heading past a hapless Mads Hermansen from a Nwaneri cross.
The Spaniard would put the game out of sight with a second in the 85th minute, heaping pressure on Van Nistelrooy.
Ruud van Nistelrooy facing the sack at Leicester
Here’s how Football Insider rated the performance of the Foxes’ squad against Arsenal on Saturday (15 February).
Mads Hermansen – 5
Potentially could have done better for the first goal, no chance for the second.
James Justin – (off for Coulibaly) – 7
Went down injured in the 26th minute, with Coulibaly, a January Leicester signing from Parma, ready to come on. Justin stayed on until the 41st minute but was forced off, having been unable to shake off his knock. Kept Sterling quiet until his injury.
Wout Faes – 3
Beaten in the air by Merino for the Spaniards opener and was out of position to stop the cross for the second.
Caleb Okoli – 5
Starting in place of Conor Coady who was linked with a return to Wolves in January, the Italian wasn’t as bad as some of those around him but hardly shone against the Gunners.
Victor Kristiansen – 3
Struggled to deal with a lively Nwaneri, was not tight enough to the winger as he delivered the assist for Merino’s goal. Out of position for Merino’s second goal.
Wilfred Ndidi (off for Daka ’85) – 5
Had a great chance to put the Foxes in front in the first-half, struggled to deal with Martin Odegaard.
Boubakary Soumare shows quality on the ball for Leicester
Boubakary Soumare – 7
Controlled the flow of the game well, transitioning the ball from defence to attack successfully on a number of occasions.
Jordan Ayew – (off for Mavididi) – 6
Substituted in the 75th minute, a quiet first-half from the Ghanaian but came out looking a changed man in the second and threatened consistently.
Bilal El Khannouss – 5
Quiet day for the Moroccan, booked just after half-time but struggled to have an impact.
Bobby Reid (off for Buonanotte ’85) – 4
Leicester were in the market for a new winger in January, and their failure was on show as Reid struggled to have an impact on the match.
Leicester legend Vardy struggles against Arsenal
Jamie Vardy – 5
A lack of supply meant that it was slim pickings for the Foxes legendary striker.
Substitutes
Woyo Coulibaly (on for Justin ’41) – 7
Continued the good work of Justin by shutting down Trossard on the left-wing.
Stephy Mavididi (on for Ayew ’75) – 7
Dangerous and direct dribbling at Jurrien Timber gave the right-back all sorts of problems, drew a yellow card from Jorginho late on.
Facundo Buonanotte (on for Reid ’85) – 6
Was not on the pitch long enough to have an impact.
Patson Daka (on for Ndidi ’85) – 6
Much like Buonanotte, did not have enough time to have an impact.