Arsenal vs Leicester player ratings: Partey 9, Odegaard 8; Iheanacho 4, Maddison 5

Gunners stay above Manchester United in hunt for Champions League spot

ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale – 6 The Arsenal shot-stopper was thankful for a last-ditch tackle by White after he’d parried Dewsbury-Hall’s low cross in the box into Maddison’s path. He later made a terrific save to deny Barnes’ header. EPA

Cedric Soares – 6 Continued his spell with Tomiyasu forced to watch from the sidelines, and lost possession a little more than he would have liked when dealing with Leicester’s main attacking threat. Reuters

Ben White – 8 The former Brighton and Hove Albion man put in a terrific tackle to deny Maddison a chance to equalise just before the half-hour mark. EPA

Gabriel – 7 Took a palm to his face in the first half but had a solid display in the backline to keep Iheanacho quiet. Getty

Kieran Tierney – 7 The Scotsman’s key moment came as Leicester looked for a way back into the game, when he put in an excellent block to deny Barnes in the box. AFP

Thomas Partey – 9 The 6ft midfielder was gifted a free header in the box from a Martinelli corner to score his second goal of the season. He nearly grabbed a second when his effort from outside the box hit the crossbar. The Ghanian had another chance when he headed Schmeichel’s clearance goalward in the lead up to Arsenal’s penalty. EPA

Granit Xhaka – 6 After a charging run forward, the Swiss midfielder was given an opportunity to shoot from distance in the second half, although it finished just over the target. AP

Bukayo Saka – 7 Lively throughout, the England forward forced Schmeichel to palm away an effort after half-time as Arsenal piled on the pressure. AP

Martin Odegaard – 8 Continues to be an impressive playmaker. He made things happen and was part of every Arsenal move. Getty

Gabriel Martinelli – 7 In the week that the Brazilian received his first senior call-up for his national side, Martinelli made Pereira work hard on the wing. He also whipped in a delightful corner which Partey headed in with ease. Reuters

Alexandre Lacazette – 7 The Arsenal captain finally ended his goalless streak as he gave Schmeichel no chance from the spot, firing into the roof of the net. Earlier, the Frenchman broke free from Mendy before seeing a low drive from distance easily collected. Reuters

SUBS: Emile Smith Rowe (Martinelli 77’) N/R – A return to action for Arsenal’s top goalscorer, who looked bright in his brief cameo. Getty

Nicolas Pepe (Saka 86’) – N/R, Didn’t see much of the ball but Arsenal were comfortable enough by the time he came off the bench. EPA

Eddie Nketiah (Lacazette 88’) – N/R A late change for Arsenal to help them see out the game. PA

LEICESTER RATINGS: Kasper Schmeichel – 6 The 35-year-old goalkeeper was called into early action when Martinelli was put through on goal, and he did well to deny the Brazilian with his boot. No stopping either goal. Getty

Ricardo Pereira – 6 The right-back passed a late fitness and was handed the task of sticking to Martinelli like glue, which he did well. Subbed off after Arsenal’s second, with Martinelli beginning to cause trouble in the second half. AFP

Daniel Amartey – 6 The Foxes centre-back didn’t do anything wrong, and he held firm despite finding Lacazette a handful. Getty

Caglar Soyuncu – 5 After Saka had lost Thomas during a solo run forward, it was the Turkish centre-back who put in a decent tackle in the box to give his side breathing space in the first 20 minutes. Getty

Luke Thomas – 5 The young full-back had a tough task on his hands dealing with Saka’s pace, and he lost his man when over-anticipating Partey’s run to meet Martinelli’s corner for Arsenal’s opener. Provided a terrific goal-line clearance to deny Arsenal a second. EPA

James Maddison – 5 The 25-year-old playmaker came in for Youri Tielemans, after having shaken off a lower back problem. He was quiet in the opening stages, but had the perfect opportunity to equalise when Ramsdale pushed a shot in his direction; only for the midfielder to stumble. EPA

Nampalys Mendy – 6 The Afcon winner was handed his first start in the Premier League this season, having played just 14 minutes prior, and he looked a solid asset in the middle. EPA

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 6 The young midfielder has proven himself to be worthy of a place but he found it hard to create anything of note. Action Images

Marc Albrighton – 6 Whipped in an absolute stunner of a ball after a corner was blocked, which Barnes connected with well to put Ramsdale to work 10 minutes before half-time. Reuters

Kelechi Iheanacho – 4 With Jamie Vardy sidelined, the Nigerian was chosen to lead the line in his first league start of 2022, but he made very little impact. His first shot came just before his withdrawal from the match. Booked Getty

Harvey Barnes – 7 Looking for his second goal in two games, the Leicester City academy graduate connected superbly well with an Albrighton cross and forced the Ramsdale to push over. Leicester’s main goal threat. EPA

SUBS: James Justin (Pereira 61’) – 5 A return to action for the young prospect, who will be hoping for better luck than his last comeback. Getty

Wilfred Ndidi (Mendy 61’) – 6 Clearly unhappy to be dropped, Ndidi slotted straight back in with seven tackles during his time on the pitch, the most of the game. Getty

Patson Daka (Iheanacho 74’) – N/R Booked during a frustrating cameo from the bench. Action Images

Mikel Arteta said Thomas Partey has “come a long way” since he signed for the club after the Ghana international produced a starring performance in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Leicester.

Partey and Alexandre Lacazette were on target as the Gunners reclaimed fourth spot in the Premier League from Manchester United, who beat Tottenham on Saturday.

Partey put Arsenal ahead with an 11th-minute header while he also hit the woodwork with a shot and played a key role in the incident which led to the second-half penalty from which Lacazette scored to seal all three points.

The 28-year-old may not have hit the headlines as much as some of his team-mates since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2020, but Arteta believes the midfielder – named Arsenal’s player of the month for the first time in February – is getting better all the time.

“He almost scored shooting, he had a great shot onto the crossbar, he was involved in both goals – the header he scored and the penalty as well – and the reaction when he had the shot,” Arteta said.

“You could see he was voted player of the month last month and he’s come a long way, he has the consistency and the minutes, he understands what we want much better.

“I think his cohesion and understanding with the rest of the players is getting better and better and now it is about consistency and to keep doing it.”

Arsenal have not finished in the top four since Arsene Wenger was in charge and last season did not qualify for Europe for the first time since the 1994-95 campaign, but they currently have a one-point advantage and three games in hand on fifth-placed Manchester United.

West Ham in sixth and seventh-placed Wolves have also played three games more than the Gunners, and are three and five points worse off respectively.

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