Never-say-die Gunners hit Foxes with a late one-two

If this title race is to be “a war”, as Gabriel put it, Arsenal have claimed victory in a battle that may end up much more decisive than anyone expected.

- MIGUEL DELANEY

What should have been a comfortable 3pm home win against a relegation-threatened Leicester City was transformed into a game that tested the club’s nerves but will have reaffirmed the spirit, through a late 4-2 win.

The very fact it went to that from 2-2 in the 94th minute only tells part of what this game was, especially given it had been 2-0 at half time. It might also tell us a bit more about what Arsenal will be by the end of the season – mere challengers again or actual champions?

Just hours after Manchester City had dropped two points against Newcastle United, Arsenal looked set to unexpectedly do the same against Leicester. Except, it would have been even worse than squandering the chance to go level with the champions. It would have been the third time in four games the Gunners had lost a lead, and looked like it was going to be six points dropped from winning positions. There were some caveats to that, given the red cards against both Brighton and City and the strength of the latter, but that really isn’t how you win titles.

This is, at least in terms of how they conjured a win so late in the game. This is one effect of all the little tricks that Mikel Arteta has tried over the past few years in order to build both unity in the team and a positive atmosphere in the stadium. This is when it comes through.

It was all the more important in the emotional context. Just like last week, and also like City’s afternoon match, this had the feel of a high-tension title run-in match in March. Arteta had to remind people that “it’s just September”.