Arsenal 2-1 Leicester City: five talking points from the Emirates

Time was running out and many home supporters were making their way towards the exit, with numerous others having left already. The sense of missed opportunity was inescapable – but then, with the last chance of the game, Danny Welbeck, on as a substitute after a long spell out with injury, rose to head in a winner that allowed Arsenal to complete a league double over Leicester City and, more importantly, close the gap with the east Midlands side to two points. Every season there is a match the eventual champions look back at as being a turning point – in Arsène Wenger’s first title-winning season at Arsenal, it was the 1-0 win at Manchester United in March 1998, and this 2-1 victory on a cold afternoon in February could prove to be similarly telling. Certainly the roar from the majority of those in attendance that greeted the goal and the final whistle shortly after suggests they believe a first championship in 12 years is well and truly on.

Related: Danny Welbeck’s last-gasp winner gives Arsenal win over 10-man Leicester

2) Challenge now changes for Leicester

The sense of deflation among those associated with Leicester will be sizeable after this defeat but from manager and staff to players and supporters, they should remember that they remain top of the league. Another test faces them now, however, as they move on to a string of fixtures from which they will be expected to take a sizeable number of points – Norwich (h), on 27 February, followed by West Bromwich Albion (h), Watford (a), Newcastle United (h) and Crystal Palace (a) before the end of March. Can they handle the pressure of being favourites to win week in, week out? We are about to find out and, much like this match, it is sure to make for gripping viewing.

3) Kanté shows quality again

Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have been the leading contenders for Leicester’s player of the season and, in all probability, the Premier League player of the season award, too. After this contest, though, it really is hard to look far beyond N’Golo Kanté. The central midfielder was utterly sensational here, protecting the visitors’ back four with a string of interceptions while also charging forward when the opportunity presented itself to join in their attack, most notably just before half-time when he cut inside from the right edge of Arsenal’s area and curled a shot at goal that forced Petr Cech to palm away the ball for a corner. Those who have regularly watched Kanté this season will not have been too surprised by his display, given his consistently excellent form since arriving from Caen for £5.6m in August, a deal that, with each passing day, looks like the bargain of the season.