Fans were left in disbelief after Riccardo Calafiori controversially avoided a red card during Arsenal’s thrilling 4-2 victory over Leicester City. The match, which took place at the Emirates Stadium, was filled with drama, unexpected turns, and heated moments that left supporters of both teams on the edge of their seats.
The game began with Arsenal seemingly in control, as they quickly took a 2-0 lead in the first half. Gabriel Martinelli was instrumental in the Gunners’ early dominance, opening the scoring with a well-taken goal. The Brazilian forward continued to make his presence felt by providing a precise assist for Jurrien Timber, who netted his first goal for Arsenal just before the halftime whistle. With a comfortable lead heading into the break, Arsenal fans were optimistic about their team’s chances of overtaking Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
However, the second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum. Leicester City, refusing to go down without a fight, launched a spirited comeback that turned the game on its head. Facundo Buonanotte, currently on loan from Brighton, was the catalyst for Leicester’s resurgence. The young Argentine pulled one back for the Foxes, reigniting their hopes of salvaging something from the match. Shortly afterward, full-back James Justin brought the visitors level with a stunning half-volley, executed with the outside of his foot, that left Arsenal’s defense and fans stunned.
As the match entered its final stages, Arsenal pressed forward relentlessly in search of a winner. The Emirates was buzzing with tension, and the home crowd’s anxiety was palpable. Their persistence paid off in the dying moments of the game when Leandro Trossard found the back of the net in the fourth minute of the seven added minutes. However, the goal was later ruled as an own goal by Leicester’s Wilfried Ndidi, much to the dismay of the Foxes’ supporters.
Despite the late drama, Arsenal wasn’t finished yet. In the 99th minute, Kai Havertz sealed the victory for the Gunners with a clinical finish, sending the Emirates into a frenzy. The goal ensured that Arsenal took all three points from the encounter, keeping them in close contention with Manchester City at the top of the table.
However, the match was not without controversy. The flashpoint came late in the game when Riccardo Calafiori, who had already been booked, committed a rash tackle that many felt warranted a second yellow card. Leicester City players and fans alike were incensed, believing that Calafiori should have been sent off. The Foxes’ frustrations were further compounded when Facundo Buonanotte was instead shown a yellow card for his animated appeals for Calafiori’s dismissal.
Despite Leicester’s protests, the referee decided that Calafiori’s challenge did not merit a second yellow card, and VAR did not intervene to overturn the decision. The incident left many fans questioning the consistency of officiating, with debates continuing long after the final whistle.
In the aftermath of the game, Arsenal found themselves level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, with only a single goal difference keeping them in second place. The win was crucial for Mikel Arteta’s side, but the controversy surrounding Calafiori’s non-dismissal overshadowed what was otherwise a memorable and hard-fought victory.
As Arsenal continues their quest for the Premier League title, the events of this match will likely be remembered not only for the goals and the drama but also for the contentious decisions that left Leicester City feeling hard done by. With six games played and the season still in its early stages, the battle at the top of the table is heating up, and every point, every decision, and every moment on the pitch is becoming increasing
ly significant.