10-man Arsenal blunted by late Vardy equaliser

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  • Post published:July 7, 2020

Eddie Nketiah’s red card proved costly for Arsenal as Jamie Vardy’s late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Leicester City in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s side looked set to make it four league wins on the spin on Tuesday, thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 21st-minute goal.

Yet, just four minutes after coming on, substitute Nketiah received his marching orders for a rash tackle on James Justin – referee Chris Kavanagh consulting VAR to deem the youngster’s tackle worthy of a straight red.

And Leicester made their numerical advantage count with six minutes remaining – Vardy’s goal standing after a long VAR check for offside as the Foxes claimed a valuable point.

Leicester started brightly, yet they were behind when the impressive Bukayo Saka fooled Jonny Evans and teed up Aubameyang for a simple finish.

Aubameyang would have returned the favour if not for Caglar Soyuncu’s intervention soon after, before Kasper Schmeichel denied Alexandre Lacazette.

Kelechi Iheanacho had a goal disallowed due to a foul, while Lacazette should have done better with a header at the other end.

Schmeichel again had to be alert to prevent David Luiz extending Arsenal’s lead after the break, with Iheanacho then directing a close-range volley at Emiliano Martinez.

Lacazette thought he had nudged in Arsenal’s second with 22 minutes remaining, only for the offside flag to cut short his celebrations, and his replacement Nketiah lasted just a matter of minutes before he was sent off.

Leicester made Nketiah’s mistake count nine minutes later – Vardy tucking in from Demarai Gray’s cross, with VAR unable to confirm whether Ayoze Perez got a touch on the way through, which would likely have led to the goal being ruled out for offside.