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More striker troubles as Arsenal held 1-1 by newly-promoted Leicester, Aston Villa sinks Hull

Arsenal is left frustrated by newcomer Leicester, dropping points for the second time in three league games, while Aston Villa defeats Hull.

Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger gestures from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Arsenal at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on August 31, 2014. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications
Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger gestures from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Arsenal at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on August 31, 2014. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications

Arsenal was frustrated by newcomer Leicester on Sunday, dropping points for the second time in three Premier League games in a 1-1 draw.

Alexis Sanchez followed up his first Champions League goal for Arsenal on Wednesday with his first domestic strike in the 20th minute in central England.

But Leonardo Ulloa headed in Leicester’s equaliser inside two minutes to leave Arsenal with one win and two draws from its opening matches of the domestic campaign.

The game underlined Arsenal’s need for striking reinforcements as Yaya Sanogo struggled to make an impact. Sanogo was given the responsibility to lead Arsenal’s attack after Olivier Giroud was ruled out until late December with a broken tibia.

Leicester City players celebrates in front of their home crowd.
Leicester City players celebrates in front of their home crowd.

“We are open (to signing a striker),” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “We work on it but let’s not fool ourselves the solution every time you don’t win is to buy a player.”

But it had been a positive opening at Leicester when Alexis pounced for his first league goals. Neat play saw Santi Cazorla loft the ball to Sanogo and, when the striker made a hash of his effort, the ball fell to Sanchez to smash in from six yards.

The lead lasted just two minutes though as Per Mertesacker allowed Jeff Schlupp to run and his cross was headed into the net by Ulloa from 12 yards.

Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez netted his first Premier League goal.
Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez netted his first Premier League goal.

The striker beat Larent Koscielny to the ball with the France defender still feeling the after-effects of an earlier knock and he was immediately replaced by Calum Chambers.

Sanogo struggled against Leicester’s backline with the hosts closing ranks to deny Cazorla and Mesut Ozil space.

David Nugent was busy for Leicester and Chambers was almost caught out by the striker in first-half stoppage time but wriggled free before Riyad Mahrez fired at goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Ulloa continued to threaten after the break and should have fired Leicester ahead. Schlupp’s ball dissected Arsenal and when Chambers dived in the striker could only hit the side netting from eight yards (meters).

Arsenal immediately broke and Aaron Ramsey headed straight at goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel with Sanogo waiting for a tap in before the striker himself was thwarted by a smart save.

“We just weren’t clinical enough in front of goal to convert the chances into goals,” Ramsey said.

Leicester City's Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (C) rises to make a save.
Leicester City's Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (C) rises to make a save.

Originally published as More striker troubles as Arsenal held 1-1 by newly-promoted Leicester, Aston Villa sinks Hull

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/premier-league/more-striker-troubles-as-arsenal-held-11-by-newlypromoted-leicester-aston-villa-sinks-hull/news-story/5d79304aaf94ea558f6eb163ede16247