Ndidi gives and takes away as Leicester serve Arsenal almighty scare

Published on by Akawor Chichetam

Super Eagles star Wilfred Ndidi maintained his impressive form this season, registering yet another assist as Leicester City fell late to title-challenging Arsenal in a Premier League clash on Saturday.

The Nigeria international notched his fourth assist of the season, but it was not enough to prevent Leicester from conceding all three points to the Gunners.

Ndidi assisted his side's second goal as they marked their third defeat of the season.

Ndidi gives and takes away as Leicester give Arsenal almighty scare
Photo by Imago

The 27-year-old midfielder, pivotal in Leicester's promotion back to the top flight, started the new season with an assist in their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.

He followed that up with two assists in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace before contributing his fourth in the 4-2 loss to Mikel Arteta's men.

Leicester's defensive struggles continue despite Ndidi’s efforts

The match kicked off in difficult circumstances for Leicester, and they duly fell behind in the 20th minute, when Gabriel Martinelli scored to give Arsenal the lead. Leandro Trossard then guided a shot off the right post and into the net, doubling Arsenal's lead before half-time.

However, the Foxes staged an unlikely comeback after the break. First, James Justin connected with a free kick from Facundo Buonanotte to pull one back for Leicester, then Wilfred Ndidi's assisted Justin's volley to level the score.

Just when fans were anticipating the final whistle, Ndidi turned from hero to zero.

A deep Bukayo Saka corner found Trossard at the back post, with the Belgium international's shot deflecting off Ndidi and past goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, giving Arsenal a 3-2 lead. In the 11th minute of added time, Kai Havertz sealed a 4-2 victory for the Gunners.

It was a tough day for Ndidi, who also received a yellow card. He recorded the most tackles in the game (5) and had 55 touches, completing 20 accurate passes.

Defensively, he made eight clearances, two blocks, and five headed clearances, winning eight ground duels and two aerial duels.

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Akawor Chichetam

Akawor Chichetam is a dedicated sports journalist with a passion for football, both as a player and as a writer.

A proud member of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Chichetam has made significant contributions to renowned media platforms, including Elegbete TV, Footballrover, and Football411.

Known for insightful commentary and engaging content, Akawor brings a unique perspective to the world of sports journalism, combining a love for the game with a deep understanding of its details.