Arsenal vs. Leicester City: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League Game

Mesut Ozil inspired Arsenal to a hard-fought 2-1 win over struggling Leicester City on Tuesday to banish the weekend derby defeat.

The former Real Madrid man proved to be the difference as he assisted first-half goals for Laurent Koscielny and Theo Walcott against, arguably, the better team on the night at the Emirates Stadium.

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson's position might have been the subject of some speculation this week, but his team showed no ill-effects against the Gunners. If not for some wasted opportunities, the Foxes could well have been celebrating more than Andrej Kramaric's first Premier League goal in the 61st minute.

Ultimately, however, Ozil helped the Gunners prevail, even with Aaron Ramsey being taken off through injury less than 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute in the second period and Alexis Sanchez also picking up a knee problem in the game.

The three points lifted Arsenal back into the Champions League and above north London rivals Tottenham, who were beaten at Liverpool on Tuesday night.

Alexis Sanchez returned to the Arsenal starting line-up along with Walcott and Tomas Rosicky to replace Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Ramsey, who all dropped to the bench.

On-loan defender Robert Huth made his Leicester debut alongside the returning Matthew Upson, while Kramaric also started for the Foxes.

Leicester made a promising start to the game when a Riyad Mahrez shot needed a deflection to take it away from danger. The Gunners began to find their feet, though, and Alexis saw a shot blocked after good play by Santi Cazorla and Rosicky.

The visitors had not lost their threat, however. Mahrez went close once more in the 13th minute after Esteban Cambiasso played him in with a ball beyond Hector Bellerin.

Theo Walcott missed a gilt-edged opportunity in the 16th minute when he collected a Mesut Ozil pass, as Leicester goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer blocked his effort.

But while Leicester had enjoyed the run of play in the opening period, the home side broke the deadlock in the 27th minute.

Ozil deserves much of the credit for the goal, as the Germany international won a corner and took it himself. After finding Koscielny, the Arsenal defender side-footed home.

The goal lifted the home crowd and the Arsenal team. Alexis almost beneftted from good play by Ozil and Rosicky before his shot from the edge of the box went wide.

The Chile international had been on the end of a crunching challenge earlier in the game, and appeared to be struggling as the half wore on.

Leicester, meanwhile, were refusing to lie down after Koscielny's goal. Paul Konchesky chased down the flank before pulling a great cross back, but there were no takers inside the area.

Mahrez then waltzed around the attentions of three Arsenal defenders before firing just wide.

The Foxes were made to pay for their wastefulness in the 41st minute, though. Bellerin began the move when he dispossessed Jeffrey Schlupp.

The ball found its way to Ozil, who fired a left-footed shot at the goal. Schwarzer parried Ozil's fierce drive, but it dropped for Walcott to rifle home a volleyed second for Arsenal.

"

That could have been a bit Belletti/Almunia/2006 CL final there from Mahrez, but it wasn't. Still 0-0, Leicester dangerous

— Jack Pitt-Brooke (@JackPittBrooke) February 10, 2015"

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Leicester had a decision to make at the interval—chase the game or risk conceding further goals—and they went close once more in the 52nd minute when Cambiasso and Kramaric combined on the edge of the box before the Croatian shot straight at David Ospina.

The Foxes were finally rewarded for their play in the 61st minute. Ospina and Per Mertesacker denied Kramaric, with the latter heading over his own crossbar. Koscielny failed to clear the resulting corner fully, and the ball dropped for the Croatian, who drilled it into the corner of the net.

Arsenal withdrew Alexis midway through the second period and replaced him with Giroud.

Mahrez did well to weave his way in from the flank, and Ospina was beaten as his curling shot struck the stanchion at the back of the net.

Arsene Wenger sent on Aaron Ramsey for Walcott in the 73rd minute to shore up his midfield as Leicester chased an equaliser.

There was another scare for the home fans in the 79th minute as Leicester broke from an Arsenal corner. Mahrez slipped the ball to Kramaric and he attempted to lob Ospina, but the Colombian was equal to the effort.

The Gunners were dealt a blow in the 82nd minute when substitute Ramsey was forced out of the match, less than 10 minutes after coming on, through injury. Wenger replaced him with Mathieu Flamini.

Pearson sent on Leonardo Ulloa for Wes Morgan in the 81st minute as he chased the point his team's efforts at least deserved.

But it was not to be, as Arsenal held on to seal the three points, although Giroud's booking after Schwarzer struck his back with a clearance was a bizarre end to the game.

Selected Player Ratings

Alexis Sanchez: A-

Always looking for a chance, the Arsenal star was a busy presence in his central role. However, the Chilean appeared to be struggling with an injury after a first-half challenge.

Riyad Mahrez: A-

The Leicester man might not have the same illustrious name as those of his opponents, but made his mark early on with some good chances. He lacked the killer touch, though.

Mesut Ozil: A+

Produced one of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt to inspire the victory for the home team. He needed a big performance after a disappointing derby on Saturday and provided it.

What's Ahead

Both teams will now turn their attention to the FA Cup fifth-round ties on Sunday.

Leicester travel across the Midlands to Aston Villa, while Arsenal play host to Championship high-fliers Middlesbrough, who defeated Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the last round.

Post-Match Reaction

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