Gabriel Jesus scored twice and set up two more goals as Arsenal defeated Leicester City 4-2 to make it two wins in the Premier League this season.
Jesus impressed without scoring on his competitive Arsenal debut against Crystal Palace, but the former Manchester City striker delivered on Saturday to compensate for some shaky Arsenal defending.
The Brazil international’s double gave Arsenal a dominant first-half lead, and he finished off an outstanding performance with two second-half assists after Arsenal had twice given Leicester hope.
Following William Saliba’s own goal, Granit Xhaka scored Arsenal’s third, and after James Maddison scored through Aaron Ramsdale’s knees to make it 3-2, Jesus set up Gabriel Martinelli to conclude the scoring.
Leicester were saved by the post in the 20th minute when Xhaka headed against it, but their luck ran out as Jesus’ deflected attempt curled in over Danny Ward.
In the 35th minute, Jesus doubled his goal by nodding in unnoticed from a corner.
Leicester felt they had a lifeline when Jamie Vardy went down under pressure from Ramsdale, but referee Darren England overruled his decision to give a spot-kick after a VAR check revealed there was little contact.
Saliba’s gaffe – an unintentional header past Ramsdale – gave Leicester a chance to get back into the game, but they conceded again 106 seconds later.
Ward fumbled what should have been a simple catch, and Xhaka was there to sweep Jesus home.
With 16 minutes remaining, Maddison’s precise shot and Ramsdale’s shaky goalkeeping drew Leicester back into it, but Arsenal responded quickly, with Martinelli hammering in from the edge of the box.
Jesus hit the post with the goal gaping as a hat-trick opportunity passed him by, but his important contribution on his home Premier League debut for Arsenal sealed all three points.
What does it imply? Gunners operating at full capacity
Mikel Arteta will be disappointed with how his team conceded, but he will be pleased with Arsenal’s attacking skill and verve, led by the excellent Jesus.
Arsenal had 19 shots to Leicester’s six, seven of which were on target, with Thomas Partey also hitting the post late on as the Gunners sought a fifth goal that would have been far from flattering.
Jesus looking at home
It was a superb performance from new signing Jesus, who not only scored but also played as Arsenal’s talisman, dovetailing superbly in a fluid offensive four.
He has now scored seven goals in eight Premier League games against Leicester, second only to Everton (eight) in the competition.
Leicester’s Travel Issues
Leicester have only maintained one clean sheet in their 27 Premier League away games, most recently in a 2-0 win at Burnley in March.
Brendan Rodgers’ side hasn’t maintained a clean sheet on the road against a current top-flight team since a goalless draw at Wolves in February 2021, and they couldn’t manage Arsenal’s assault.
Important Opta Facts
- Arsenal named the same starting XI in their opening two Premier League matches for the first time since the 2004-05 season, when they also won their first two games.
- Leicester have surrendered more Premier League goals to Arsenal than any other team (69).
- No team has scored more Premier League goals from corners than Arsenal since the start of last season (15).
- Jesus became Arsenal’s 12th different Brazilian player to score a Premier League goal, the most in the competition’s history.
- He is the only Arsenal player to score more than once in his home Premier League debut. With two assists, he became the first Arsenal player since Theo Walcott against Newcastle in December 2012 to both score and assist two or more goals in a Premier League game (three goals, two assists).
What comes next?
On Saturday, Arsenal travels to the south coast to play Bournemouth, while Leicester hosts Southampton.