Arsenal 4-2 Leicester: Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz score in added time after a James Justin brace had stunned the Emirates Stadium

At times it felt like Arsenal versus Mads Hermansen. Diving one way and then the other, the Danish goalkeeper had become Leicester’s architect of almost walking away with something.

It was James Justin’s outrageous first volley from Wilfred Ndidi’s cross, which fired at speed into the bottom corner, that leveled the score at 2-2. However, Hermansen made a series of saves that went beyond the call for order to keep his team so close.

The 24-year-old must have watched a David Raya compilation tape from this season. Today’s heroic deeds were almost in that list.

There was a save to parry a Gabriel header – he has been deadly from corners of late, scoring against Manchester City and Tottenham – over the crossbar.

A sprawl that deflected Leandro Trossard’s effort onto a post, and denying Kai Havertz’s twisting volley from close range, were also part of the compilation.

Therefore, when he left the Emirates, he must have felt bewildered because he walked away with nothing. They remain without a Premier League point so far this season. An early concern indeed.

Ndidi’s own goal in stoppage time – Trossard’s strike from a Bukayo Saka corner had deflected off the Leicester man’s leg – ensured Arsenal secured victory on a day when they were far from top gear.

The Gunners had 36 shots, 16 of which were on targets. That would normally have amounted to a thrashing, not 2-2 – until the 94th minute, where that own goal and then Kai Havertz added luster to a misleading scoreline.

Hermansen was in inspired form but nevertheless the Gunners should have been more clinical. Against most other parties, especially their rivals, they would have been punished.

To Leicester’s credit they were poor in the first half but persevered and took advantage of the three shots on target they had in the match. For Arsenal, in addition to the victory, it will have been Gabriel Martinelli’s performance that brought joy.

The 23-year-old had a huge breakthrough in the 2022/23 season, scoring 15 league goals and five assists. He was firmly in the minds of Gooners. Since then, it has been difficult to reach those heights.

Last season was plagued by injuries and flat showings. This campaign has shown glimpses of promise, but still lacks the end product element.

Today he was back to finish at his best. The Brazilian was at the center of most of the north London club’s attacks and seemed full of confidence, something that has been lacking of late.

He hit Arsenal’s first, turning the ball into a corner from close range, before assisting Trossard for the second goal.

Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber resume their left-back duo after the 2-2 draw against Manchester City last Sunday.

Raya started in the net. Mikel Arteta had suggested on Friday that his goalkeeper should undergo a late fitness test – this was an exaggeration given Raya almost played Bolton in the third round of the Carabao Cup against Bolton in midweek.

Steve Cooper’s Leicester were in trouble; are yet to win a point in the league and cruised through the Carabao Cup against League Two Walsall on penalties earlier this week.

The Gunners were also looking for a sixth straight win against the Foxes. So the tide was going in one direction before kick-off.

The absence of talisman Martin Odegaard, who is often at the forefront of their best work, was not expected to be taken into account.

Although there was one particular consideration that the home team had to take into account: Jamie Vardy.

The 37-year-old had scored 11 goals in 16 games against the Gunners in all competitions. A match that brought out the best in the experienced striker, and something that could not be ignored.

Arsenal started well, not letting the ball go from the opposition half and passing it past the blue shirts at will.

Captain Saka complained about being pushed on the byline by Caleb Okoli after three minutes, which referee Sam Barratt ignored.

From there, Saka continued to drive forward and orchestrate attacks at his leisure. The inevitable opening goal came after 20 minutes, Saka’s pass finding Timber on the wing and the full back cross on the floor towards Martinelli in the penalty area.

The Brazilian fired his shot into the bottom left corner, slowly sending the ball into the net.

Shortly afterwards, Martinelli had another try after being left wide open, but this shot was parried.

Kai Havertz had a header that went inches past the post before Trossard got on the scoresheet and converted Martinelli’s pass for the first time in the penalty area, to end a first half of total dominance.

It’s why Leicester’s goal two minutes after the restart took the Arsenal and Emirates players by surprise.

Facundo Buonanotte took a free kick outside the penalty area and Justin stood on it, headed the ball towards Havertz’s shoulder and went in.

It was a wake-up call. Gabriel had a header cleverly saved by Hermansen, but follow-up actions from Calafiori and Timber were also of no avail for the home team.

Hermansen then denied Trossard and pushed his shot onto the post. Leicester got the equalizer through that ridiculous Justin volley and the tide really turned.

That was until Trossard, along with Havertz’s consolation strike, which required a VAR check, ultimately saved the day for Arsenal.