Leicester City welcomed Arsenal to the King Power Stadium yesterday evening for our penultimate game of the Premier League campaign.
Claude Puel reflects on a 'great performance' from his Foxes after a 3-1 win over Arsenal – https://t.co/X11wOnMF6p #LeiArs pic.twitter.com/JOpP2pzLi0
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 9, 2018
With Claude Puel desperately needing to give the fans something to cheer about with growing playing style frustrations, Arsene Wenger was obviously out to take another victory as he heads towards the end of a 22-year association with Arsenal.
Leicester out Foxed the Gunnars on the night and took a pretty comfortable 3-1 victory. Kelechi Iheanacho opened the scoring after 14 minutes of the game had been played and one minute later Konstantinos Mavropanos saw a straight red to reduce the visitors to ten men.
Opening goalscorer @67Kelechi speaks to LCFC TV following Wednesday's 3-1 triumph over Arsenal at King Power Stadium ????#LeiArs pic.twitter.com/9W0KK46QBo
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 9, 2018
Leicester couldn’t immediately capitalise, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did level the scores up in the 53rd minute. With 15 minutes remaining, we did manage to take full advantage as Jamie Vardy hit home from the penalty spot in the 76th-minute and Riyad Mahrez made it three at the 90th-minute mark.
It was certainly a more ‘Leicester’ performance – Arsenal dominated possession but we had ten shots on target with 19 overall and that was the difference.
Claude Puel reflects on a positive performance in a 3-1 victory over the Gunners last night! ????
Watch the full interview here ???? https://t.co/AXnsjZy4BP#LeiArs pic.twitter.com/6uKWiFBUme
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 10, 2018
Speaking to lcfc.com as he met with the media following the game, Puel explained.
“I think it was a great performance. It was a fantastic game with good intensity and a lot of chances. Congratulations to my players because they had a good mentality and showed aggressiveness, passion and desire in their game. They gave their best.”
Puel sang the praises of the fans, repeating that it was important to give them a ‘reward’ because our last home game, in particular, had been very ‘poor’ and they had always given the team a strong backing this year. Although he knew it would be difficult to take victory, ending the campaign with a win and a good performance was vitally important.
Fantastic victory! Great atmosphere with our fans for the last home game. #LeiArs pic.twitter.com/umHp1bZPaA
— Adrien Silva (@adrien_silva23) May 10, 2018
Great last home game! Thank you for all your support! #LCFC pic.twitter.com/cuXLgGVjON
— Christian Fuchs (@FuchsOfficial) May 10, 2018
Jakupovic was kept busy last night, here's what he had to say about the 3-1 victory over Arsenal. ????
Watch the full interview here ➡️ https://t.co/hEwFRpk2iQ pic.twitter.com/nyZED9CDeT
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 10, 2018
Khun Top, #lcfc Vice Chairman, joined the fans in thanking Robert Huth before the Foxes' win over Arsenal.#DankeRob pic.twitter.com/ZvPV5pfWMQ
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 10, 2018
????️ "We did well and deserved a result."
Post-#LeiArs reaction from Eldin Jakupović ???? https://t.co/O4ljkv7Oyn pic.twitter.com/NqvZPPIt3v
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 10, 2018
Much better from the lads tonight. Atmosphere brilliant. Nice to send the fans home happy. #lcfc ????????⚽️
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) May 9, 2018
Nice to finally beat Arsenal, it’s took us a lot of goes but to beat them on our last home game of the season after our recent run of form was good. Thanks to all of the fans at the end #foxesneverquit #lcfc ????
— Danny Simpson (@dannysimpson) May 9, 2018
Great performance today, and so happy we got 3points in the bag..Atmosphere was amazing from my view in the stands ???? one more to go!!????????
— Ndidi Wilfred (@Ndidi25) May 9, 2018
Fans were also far happier at the full-time whistle.
Everyone played brilliantly tonight. That performance was the Leicester we know and love. Back to our old selves. Well played mate. ????
— Michael J. Topley (@MichaelJTopley) May 9, 2018
Well done nice words pity Puel didn’t realise that earlier in the season Danny
— talkingtel94 (@talkingtel94) May 10, 2018
That’s what we want every week. That’s the Leicester City way.
— Dave Garrard (@dave_garrard) May 10, 2018
I was so pleased to see the @LCFC team put in so much to this game.
So why now? ????⚽— Jonathan (@Jonathan_bc) May 10, 2018
Cheers Leicester. Just read about the fans honoring Arsene at the match. Wonderful gesture. See you next season ✌️
— Marlon Fortes (@FortesMarlon) May 9, 2018
Get in city! Great result.
— Colin (@Colin362018) May 9, 2018
In Eldin we trust ????⚽️????????????
— Luke (@LDAWardle99) May 10, 2018
Anyone else think that's exactly how we played when Puel first came in? Intense but with ability on the ball. I think that's all any Leicester fan wants. No need to change the style totally until we have all the pieces in place.
— Matt Beechey (@MattBeechey) May 10, 2018
The win is unlikely to change many fans minds when it comes to Puel though as there was still plenty of criticism.