Danny Welbeck scores last-gasp winner in thrilling Arsenal win over 10-man Leicester

Danny Welbeck came off the bench to score the winner in the 95th minute as 10-man Leicester City were denied a vital point in the cruellest of circumstances.

Welbeck last pulled on an Arsenal shirt nine months ago and hadn’t found the net for the Gunners in 10 months, but he couldn’t have announced his return to the fold in more emphatic fashion, with a goal that puts the Gunners back in the hunt for a first title in 12 years as they move to within two points of the leaders.

Arsenal started the game brightly but just couldn’t break down a resolute Leicester defence, with Robert Huth, Wes Morgan and Kasper Schmeichel heroic in defence. And the pendulum swung the other way on the stroke half-time when Jamie Vardy was tripped in the box by Nacho Monreal, and the striker got up and duly despatched the spot-kick, sending Petr Cech the wrong way.

The game’s turning point came early in the second half though, when Danny Simpson received two yellow cards in quick succession and his dismissal left Claudio Ranieri with no option but to sacrifice key man Riyad Mahrez. Leicester were blunted as a creative force from that point on and Arsenal levelled through substitute Theo Walcott, who found the bottom corner after Olivier Giroud had nodded the ball into his path.

Leicester, visibly shattered to a man and drawing on every reserve of energy to see the game out, defended for their lives with Schmeichel pulling off a string of saves that seemed to be sending the game to a draw, one which Leicester would have richly deserved. Late drama denied them though as Marcin Wasilewski was drawn into a needless foul on Monreal and Welbeck, fresh off the bench, leaped high to nod Mesut Ozil’s ball into the net, sending the Arsenal fans wild and breaking Leicester hearts.

10’ - PENALTY? Arsenal claim a penalty as the ball appears to strike Kante on the arm. It wasn't clear cut, especially as it was struck from close range by Oxlade-Chamberlain, and the referee says no pen.

16’ - CECH SAVE! Albrighton clips a perfect cross from the right to Vardy, whose downward header is brilliantly saved by the Arsenal keeper, who claims it to prevent the rebound.

39’ - KANTE CHANCE! The midfielder cuts in from the left and bends an audacious shot towards the top corner that Cech fingertips away for a corner. Great save.

44’ - PENALTY! Vardy is tripped by Monreal in the box and the referee points straight to the spot. What a chance for Vardy...

45’ - GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Leicester: Vardy fires the penalty into the bottom corner, sending Cech the wrong way. They're still dreaming!

55’ - SIMPSON SENT OFF! Simpson has dragged Giroud back and that's a stupid second yellow card for the right-back. The referee had no choice.

70’ - GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Leicester: Walcott scores! Bellerin picks out Giroud, the Frenchman cushions a header into the path of Walcott, who finishes into the bottom corner.

86’ - MERTESACKER CHANCE! So close! The German gets into a great position at the back post by can only glance Ozil's cross wide of the post.

88’ - BIG SAVE! The ball falls to Giroud in space but his shot is saved well by Schmeichel. Arsenal are throwing the kitchen sink at Leicester and some more. Heroic defending.

90’+5 - GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Leicester: Welbeck scores for Arsenal! Ozil clips a free-kick into the danger area and Welbeck heads in the winner. Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable.

Danny Welbeck's goal was Arsenal's 100th goal scored in 90+ mins of a Premier League game; more than any other side.

Theo Walcott's goal came from Arsenal's first shot on target in the match against Leicester City.

Danny Simpson is the first Leicester City player to be sent off in a Premier League match this season.

Jamie Vardy has won more penalties in the Premier League this season alone (6) than all of the other 19 Premier League teams.

Was it a penalty? Yes. There was contact from Monreal on Vardy in the box and the slightly dramatic fall made it look like a manufactured one. But Monreal fouled him and the penalty had to be given.

N'Golo Kante (Leicester City): Another storming performance by the engine of the Leicester midfield. Kept Ozil quiet in open play and was fundamental in breaking down Arsenal's attacks and launching Leicester's. Came close to scoring a couple of times. A complete midfield display.

Arsenal: Cech 8, Bellerin 7, Mertesacker 7, Koscielny 7, Monreal 7, Coquelin 6, Ramsey 6, Oxlade-Chamberlain 7, Ozil 7, Alexis 7, Giroud 8. Subs: Walcott 7, Welbeck 8.

Leicester: Schmeichel 9, Simpson 6, Morgan 8, Huth 8, Fuchs 6, Mahrez 6, Kante 8, Drinkwater 8, Albrighton 7, Okazaki 7, Vardy 8. Subs: Wasilewski 5, Gray 7, King n/a.