Izuchukwu OkosiBy Izuchuwku Okosi
ARSENAL on Saturday at the King Power Stadium defeated Leicester City 2-0 to climb to fifth place in the English Premier League table albeit temporarily.
Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes and Emile Smith Rowe in the first half were enough to ensure that the Gunners are undefeated in eight league games.
Prime Business Africa’s Senior Correspondent, Izuchukwu Okosi presents the five things noted from this game.
- Great Arsenal Start, Shaky End
The Gunners started sprightly in the first half and surged to a two-goal lead but as the first half wore on, they allowed the home side to find some rhythm.
Arsenal fans would be grateful to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale who produced a wonderful save from a James Maddison free kick to keep the scoreline at 2-0 after 45 minutes.
Same witnessed against Aston Villa… That spell lingered into the second half but thankfully
- Ramsdale Ball Distribution
Aaron Ramsdale began the game with a level of confidence which showed in his passes and distribution, but had some of the balls intercepted. A lot was said about the Englishman when he left Sheffield United to join Arsenal. Many supporters of the Emirates Stadium club didn’t want him either, but he has proved every single one of his doubters wrong.
- Arsenal Turning ‘The Corner’
Scoring from set-pieces has not particularly been Arsenal’s forte but in recent games they have been doing that commendably.
Mikel Arteta’s side has scored in four consecutive games from corner nods than they managed throughout the whole of last season at three. They have improved massively on this aspect of their game.
- Away Fortune Smiles At Arsenal
Arsenal’s form has not been a good one over the years but they have gradually started rewriting that narrative.
Aside from defeats to Brentford and Manchester City plus a draw at Brighton and Hove Albion, Arsenal has scored more goals away from home on Saturday than they have in the other four Premier League away matches this season combined.
- Saka Must Be Remembered Too
Aaron Ramsdale, Gabriel Magalhaes Ben White, Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey were all contenders for Man of the Match prize but Bukayo Saka was imperious in the 2-0 win over Leicester City.
Saka, born of Nigerian parents, created three chances more than any other Arsenal player. He picked up an assist as well, and he was heavily involved in the second goal too.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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