Arsenal claimed an extremely dramatic last minute winner against Leicester City to enhance their title chances significantly.
An intriguing tactical battle ensued in the first half, with Arsenal trying to dictate the play and a resolute Leicester springing out on the counter attack.
On the stroke of half-time the Foxes broke the deadlock through a Jamie Vardy penalty, after the Englishman was felled in the box by a clumsy Nacho Monreal challenge.
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Two ill-disciplined challenges from Danny Simpson in the space of five minutes saw the right-back earn himself two yellow cards and hand Arsenal a golden opportunity to take control of the match with over half-an-hour remaining.
Leicester’s resistance was broken with a neat Theo Walcott finish from close range, following a superb knockdown from Olivier Giroud.
The final 20 minutes plus stoppage time belonged to Arsenal and despite creating a host of clear-cut opportunities they could not breach Leicester’s rearguard for a second time until the very last kick of the game.
Substitute Danny Welbeck rose highest to deflect Mesut Ozil’s inch-perfect free-kick past a despairing Kasper Schmeichel to send the Emirates into pandemonium.
Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter:
Arsenal 2-1 Leicester FT:
Shots: 24-7
Possession: 64%-36%
Chances created: 19-6
Pass acc: 86%-63%Dramatic finish pic.twitter.com/IonDWIUhR9
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 14, 2016
!!!! One header just drastically changed my Valentine’s Day dinner mood. #AFC
— Danny Karbassiyoon (@dkarbassiyoon) February 14, 2016
THAT’S how you win the League.
Never give up. Keep fighting.
Proud of the team. #afc— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 14, 2016
What an amazing, crazy season. Welbeck returns for first time since April and makes it 2-1 to #afc.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) February 14, 2016
#LCFC needed an outlet last 20. Can’t soak up so much pressure and not concede chances. Drinkwater/Kante/Huth/Morgan brilliant again.
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) February 14, 2016
Well. No words for that game. 14th February could have just swung the title back in Arsenal’s favour. #AFC #LCFC #AFCvLCFC
— Alex Batt (@AlexBatt) February 14, 2016
You can’t turn an EPL match off before the players have actually left the stadium, just to be safe. #AFCvLCFC #ArsLei
— Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) February 14, 2016
If Arsenal can get a player sent off in every one of their remaining games, they might win the league.
— Spooky (@Spooky23) February 14, 2016
Danny Welbeck 94th minute against the league leaders to kick-start our title challenge. I’m crying. I’m going to cry the rest of today.
— Raf (@TheFalseNein) February 14, 2016
Leicester City have lost just 3 times in the Premier League all season.
Arsenal the only side to beat them home and away.
— Arsenal Mania (@arsenalmania) February 14, 2016
LCFC’s next few games give them a great chance to get things back on track while others’ fixtures mount up. Some premature crowning of AFC
— Christopher Atkins (@ChrisAtkins_) February 14, 2016
If blown chances were goals, Arsenal would win every year.
— Dom Knight (@domknight) February 14, 2016
Kante has stayed on so #lcfc down to 13 men.
— Matt Hughes (@MattHughesTimes) February 14, 2016
Contrary to logic and common sense, Martin Atkinson is the first choice ref being sent by the FA to officiate Euro2016 #ARSLEI #lcfc #afc
— Rory Flanagan (@Rory_Flanagan) February 14, 2016
Still waiting for Arsenal to bottle it
— Jürgen (@MitchelSpeirs) February 14, 2016
Commentators making a huge deal about LCFC's desire and grit. Not sure Arsenal will have the same fawning coverage despite actually winning.
— J. Reuben Frazer (@JReubenFrazer) February 14, 2016
Hilarious thing is sky sports will do a poll about whether #Arsenal deserved that win, which we all know how that will go…?
— Fudge (@Danfudge) February 14, 2016
There is nothing quite like football for filling you with joy one minute and tearing your heart to shreds the next.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 14, 2016
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