Leicester City vs. Arsenal: Winners and Losers from Premier League

Few would have expected the battle between the two teams who began the day in fourth and fifth place, respectively, to be quite so one-sided.

However, the brilliance of Alexis Sanchez enabled Arsenal to win an exciting encounter against hosts Leicester City at the King Power Stadium by an emphatic scoreline.

In this piece, we break down the winners and losers from this enthralling match. Alexis was obviously the star, but who else had a day to remember? And who will want to forget their performance in a hurry?

Winner: Alexis Sanchez

Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

This was Alexis Sanchez’s day.

The Arsenal forward came into this fixture on a run of eight games without a goal. However, the drought ended in the first-half as he latched on to a deflected Hector Bellerin cross to tuck away.

It was exactly what the Chilean needed, and from that moment, he looked more like the player who terrorised Premier League defences throughout 2014/15. His second goal showed another aspect to his game, as he broke the offside trap before leaping high to head home an outrageous clipped pass from Mesut Ozil.

The best was yet to come. Inside the last 10 minutes, he lashed home a stunning effort from 25 yards to complete a memorable hat-trick. It’s fair to say that Alexis is back to his best.

Loser: Wes Morgan

Clint Hughes/Getty Images

It’s difficult to understand how Wes Morgan continues to retain the faith of the Leicester City management. Week after week, he seems to commit calamitous errors. Although there was not one particular moment that stood out against Arsenal, the burly centre-half was comprehensively outclassed.

Crucially, he was outrun, too. Morgan and his partner Robert Huth simply could not keep pace with the fleet-footed Theo Walcott.

Winner: Theo Walcott

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Theo Walcott’s goal against Leicester means he has now struck 12 times in his last 13 Premier League starts.

Although there are still question marks over his capacity to offer the hold-up play required to bring Arsenal’s midfielders into the game, there can be no doubt about the threat he poses in behind. Every time Arsenal broke, his electric runs posed problems for Leicester.

On this evidence, Walcott is adapting to the centre-forward role Wenger has seemingly earmarked for him in 2015/16.

Loser: Mathieu Flamini

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Mathieu Flamini would have come into this game on a real high after his brace won Arsenal the north London derby in the Capital One Cup. His dazzling display at White Hart Lane shifted him up the midfield pecking order ahead of club captain Mikel Arteta, and he was afforded a rare opportunity to start a Premier League match.

However, Flamini was forced to leave the field midway through the first half with an injury. With Francis Coquelin close to a return to competitive action, it may be some time before Flamini gets another opportunity to stake a claim for a regular place.

Winner: Jamie Vardy

Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

New England international Jamie Vardy underlined his top-level credentials with an excellent brace against the Gunners.

His first goal was an outstanding individual effort, racing away from the back four before curling beyond a helpless Petr Cech. His second goal was a similar finish, bending the ball expertly into the far corner.

Vardy showed against Arsenal that his superb early-season form shows no sign of slowing. 

Loser: Claudio Ranieri

Clint Hughes/Getty Images

During his time at Chelsea, Claudio Ranieri earned a reputation as "The Tinker Man" on account of his tendency to make dramatic changes before or even during games. These were not, it’s worth saying, always effective.

So it proved against Arsenal. Although Leicester trailed 2-1 at the break, they had caused the Gunners all sorts of problems with their mobile front two of Jamie Vardy and Shinji Okazaki. It was therefore somewhat bewildering to see Ranieri switch to a more defensive 4-1-4-1 system at half-time. Before long, Arsenal had extended their lead.

Ranieri was immediately forced to correct his mistake and return to a 4-4-2 by introducing Leonardo Ulloa from the substitutes' bench.

Winner: Mesut Ozil

Julian Finney/Getty Images

This may have been the quintessential Mesut Ozil performance. He was sloppy for long periods of the game and weak in several notable collisions. However, he also provided a few moments of genius to swing the game in Arsenal’s favour. 

Ozil was involved in all of the Gunners’ first three goals. First, his intelligent pass released Alexis Sanchez to create Walcott’s equaliser. Then, a smart pass around the corner allowed Hector Bellerin to square for the Chilean to put the Gunners ahead. Finally, it was his impudent chipped pass that allowed Alexis to double his tally.

Even when Ozil appears to be off the pace, he is capable of match-winning contributions.