Valentine’s Day at the Emirates: A Match to Remember
On February 14, 2016, love was in the air, with Zayn Malik’s "Pillowtalk" topping the UK singles charts and Warner Bros.’ romantic comedy "How to Be Single" drawing crowds to the cinemas. However, in north London, the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium was far from romantic. Arsenal hosted Leicester City, who were surprisingly leading the Premier League, in a crucial match that promised to be a nail-biter. The Gunners were determined to halt Leicester’s fairy-tale run and keep their title aspirations alive. Little did they know, this Valentine’s Day would be etched in the memory of football fans for all the wrong reasons.
Pre-Match: A Surprising Return
As the teamsheets were announced, there was an unexpected twist. A player who had been out with a knee injury for 10 months made a surprise return, sitting on Arsenal’s bench. This unexpected addition added a layer of intrigue to an already charged atmosphere. The mystery of who this player was would only add to the drama that was about to unfold.
31′ – GOAL… NO!
The match began with a cautious start, but the tension was palpable. Jamie Vardy, Leicester’s talisman, tested Petr Cech early on, forcing a strong save. However, it was Arsenal who had the ball in the net first. In the 31st minute, a player backpedalled and superbly headed the ball into the net, only to see it ruled offside. The goal, though spectacular, was correctly disallowed, but it set the stage for a match filled with near-misses and dramatic calls.
36′ – First Yellow Card
The significance of the occasion was not lost on the players, and the match quickly turned feisty. Referee Martin Atkinson had his hands full, issuing a total of nine yellow cards throughout the game. The first booking came in the 36th minute, a testament to the high intensity of the game. While both teams are not typically associated with such feistiness, the stakes were simply too high. The player who picked up the first yellow card would be remembered for their early transgression.
44′ – Penalty to Leicester!
As half-time approached, the tension reached a boiling point. Jamie Vardy broke free and ran at the Arsenal defense, leading to a dramatic penalty appeal. Vardy tumbled to the ground inside the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. The question of whose leg Vardy collided with to win the penalty added another layer of controversy. The awarding of the penalty set the stage for a pivotal moment in the match.
45′ – GOAL! Vardy Strikes
No one was surprised when Jamie Vardy stepped up to take the penalty. He coolly converted the spot-kick, sending Petr Cech the wrong way. Leicester now held a 1-0 lead, and the possibility of opening up a massive gap at the top of the table became very real. Before running off to celebrate, Vardy had choice words for one specific Arsenal player. The confrontation added a spicy element to the already electric atmosphere, and the first half ended with Leicester holding a precious lead.
Half-Time: Arsenal 0-1 Leicester
Leicester’s lead at the break was significant, but the second half promised to be even more intense. Our man Rio Ferdinand, watching from the sidelines, was particularly impressed by one Arsenal player, tweeting his praise. The pressure was on Arsenal to mount a comeback, and the stage was set for a second half filled with high drama and critical moments.
54′ – Red Card: Leicester Down to 10 Men
Just as things were going swimmingly for Leicester, disaster struck. A player committed two soft fouls in quick succession, leading to a red card. The player who saw red for hauling Olivier Giroud to the floor left their team with an uphill battle for the remainder of the match. Leicester’s dream of lifting the trophy seemed to take a significant hit, and the atmosphere at the Emirates became even more charged.
70′ – GOAL! Arsenal Level the Scores
Sixteen minutes after going down to 10 men, Arsenal found the back of the net. A fluid passing move saw the ball move from left to right, back to the left, and then to the right again before the equalizer was finally slammed home. The sequence of passes leading to the goal was a testament to Arsenal’s determination and skill. The goal scorer, who finished off the move, brought the crowd to their feet and reignited Arsenal’s hopes.
90+4′ – A Free-Kick in the Final Moments
As the match headed into stoppage time, it looked like a draw was on the cards. Kasper Schmeichel had been outstanding in goal, and Per Mertesacker had missed a golden opportunity for Arsenal. Then, in the 94th minute, a clumsy challenge handed Arsenal a free-kick in a dangerous position. The player who committed the foul found themselves in the spotlight for potentially costing their team dearly. The stage was set for a dramatic finale.
90+5′ – GOAL! Arsenal Snatch Victory
The free-kick was floated into the box, and the Emirates erupted in a cacophony of cheers and celebrations. Danny Welbeck’s iconic leap into the crowd will forever be remembered as one of the defining moments of the season. The player who delivered the free-kick onto Welbeck’s head became a hero for the day. Arsenal’s victory lifted them above their north London rivals and closed the gap on Leicester to just two points, reigniting the title race.
Full-Time: Arsenal 2-1 Leicester
The win was a significant boost for Arsenal’s title hopes, but it was short-lived. True to recent history, Arsenal followed their biggest win of the season with back-to-back league defeats, and their title hopes slipped away. Leicester, on the other hand, bounced back to edge Norwich City in their next match, with Shinji Okazaki scoring a dramatic 89th-minute winner. Three months later, they were crowned Premier League champions, and Andrea Bocelli really did perform at their victory celebration.
Reflecting on the Match
How did you fare in remembering the key moments of this unforgettable match? Count up your score (out of 10) and share your reaction. Whether you’re using the TNT Sports app or accessing the content online, there’s an emoji waiting for you to select. And don’t forget to catch the clash between Leicester City and Arsenal live on TNT Sports and discovery+ this Saturday.
