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'Football at its finest': Arsenal goal leaves onlookers in awe

Arsenal have stunned the football world with one of the most exquisitely crafted goals of the season, during an impressive win over Leicester.

A sublime display from captain Mesut Ozil inspired Arsenal as they came from behind to beat Leicester in the Premier League and extend their winning run to 10 games.

After a shaky start from the Gunners, Leicester took the lead through a Hector Bellerin own goal but Ozil – back in the side following a back spasm – turned home an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

He was then heavily involved in two goals for substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who had also netted twice off the bench at Fulham last time out, with Arsenal eventually running out 3-1 winners at the Emirates Stadium.

The second of Aubameyang’s goals killed off the contest and left commentator scrambling for superlatives – with one describing it as “football at its finest.”

The captivating passage of play started on the halfway line, moved through Arsenal’s defensive line, then onto the wing – finally ending up in the back of the net after a sublime Ozil dummy and one-two pass with Aubameyang.

Gunners manager Unai Emery will be slightly concerned by the pedestrian nature of Arsenal’s opening 40 minutes, but the Spaniard will be pleased to toast a seven-match Premier League winning streak which has taken his side to within two points of the top.

While Arsenal were flat-footed from the start, the visitors started particularly brightly with Kelechi Iheanacho twice threatening in the opening exchanges.

Bernd Leno made a superb stop to keep out Harry Maguire’s header as Claude Puel’s side continued to dominate, before Jamie Vardy came within inches of heading in Ricardo Pereira’s cross.

The constant pressure soon paid off as Leicester took the lead, albeit in fortuitous circumstances, as Wilfried Ndidi fed Ben Chilwell and his pass deflected in off Bellerin, wrong-footing Leno in the process.

Granit Xhaka’s free-kick was then tipped over by Leicester skipper Kasper Schmeichel as Arsenal looked to respond immediately.

The visitors were unable to hold out until the interval as Arsenal’s head of steam saw them draw level courtesy of Ozil, who steered Bellerin’s low cross past Schmeichel with aplomb in the last minute of the half.

Ozil was at the heart of an exceptional Arsenal performance. Pic: Getty
Ozil was at the heart of an exceptional Arsenal performance. Pic: Getty

The hosts were visibly lifted by their leveller as the second half commenced, Henrikh Mkhitaryan spurning a decent chance after smart work from Alexandre Lacazette.

Emery looked to change things around by introducing both Matteo Guendouzi and Aubameyang from the bench with an hour gone as Lichtsteiner and Mkhitaryan made way.

It took the Gabon striker less than two minutes to make the difference, sweeping home from close-range after Ozil’s perfect pass allowed Bellerin to send in a low cross.

Ozil was again heavily involved as Arsenal scored their third of the night soon after, Aubameyang tucking home from in front of goal after a delicious pass from the German.

Lacazette missed two fine chances to increase the margin of victory as Ozil departed to a standing ovation, with Arsenal seeing out the remaining minutes to take their winning streak into double figures ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon.

With AAP