Saviour Returns: Danny Welbeck Heads Arsenal To Dramatic Late Victory Against Leicester (Photos & Video)

Alan Duffy

14th, February 2016

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On Sunday at a very tense Emirates Stadium, ‘Dat Guy’ scored ‘Dat Goal’. Danny Welbeck, in his first competitive appearance since April, was the match-winner for Arsenal, nodding home a dramatic last-minute winner which sees Arsenal close the gap on Premier League leaders Leicester to just two points.

Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester side have been a revelation this season and came to north London with an eye on increasing their lead over the Gunners to eight points.

And, at the end of a tight first-half, the Foxes took the lead when Jamie Vardy converted a penalty after the scrawny striker had been felled in the box by Nacho Monreal. However, ref Martin Atkinson’s decision to award the spot-kick was rather controversial, with Vardy making the most of Monreal’s outstretched leg after a heavy touch of the ball. Make up your own minds here…

After the break, Atkinson was once again at the centre of things, sending off full-back Danny Simpson, somewhat harshly, after a second yellow card. Ranieri took off playmaker Riyad Mahrez as he looked to shut up shop, but the Gunners got back on level terms on 70 minutes, when sub Theo Walcott fired home after a clever knock-down from Olivier Giroud. It was also the hosts’ first shot on target.

Arsenal laid siege to the Leicester goal in search of a winner, but found Kasper Schmeichel in outstanding form, while Per Mertesacker, amongst others, fluffed their lines with the goal gaping.

But then, with the games into it’s 95 minutes, sub Welbeck marked his return to action in fairytale style, glanceing home a Mesut Ozil free-kick to send the home fans wild and keep Arsene Wenger’s men well and truly in the title race. What a finish! This commentator rather wonderfully encapsulates the enormity of the goal…

Let’s not forget, however, that it’s Leicester who remain top of the table, with the Foxes’ dream still will and truly alive, despite the setback on Sunday.