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Leicester City picked up an important victory away to Arsenal with a dogged display in a 1-0 victory at the Emirates, leaving the Gunners with plenty of questions to answer.
The first half may have ended goalless, but there was plenty of good football on display. Leicester packed their midfield and set up defensively, allowing Arsenal on to them. The Gunners fashioned plenty of chances, with Lacazette spurning some great opportunities created by his wide players.
Arsenal's attacking impetus disappeared in the second half, and once Jamie Vardy came on, the narrative was set. It played out like a script - a swift counter attack sent Cengiz Under free down the right and he lofted in a beautiful cross for Vardy to score with consumate aplomb, and earn Leicester all three points.
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Here are the major talking points from the game:
#5 Mikel Arteta debuts his new formation for Arsenal
The purchase of Thomas Partey was celebrated amongst the Arsenal fanbase for a plethora of reasons. Apart from his obvious quality, Partey's presence would allow for the Gunners to play with a bonafide defensive midfielder.
While Mikel Arteta won the FA Cup and Community Shield with a very defensive 3-4-3 formation, there was always a sense of unease about the formation. Arsenal ceded most of their attacking play in favour of an extra defender, while depending on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's magic on the counter-attack.
Arsenal started with a 4-3-3 formation against Leicester City and immediately looked much better going forward, with the Gunners looking far more fluent, especially as Leicester allowed David Luiz and Gabriel Magalhaes plenty of time on the ball.
While there are obviously kinks to work out, it seems as though Mikel Arteta is finally working towards the kind of football he does want to play with this setup. However, he has to caution against the lack of intensity witnessed in the second half, although fatigue may have played a part.
#4 Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers baffles and delights in equal measure
Brendan Rodgers has visited the Emirates with some very impressive Liverpool and Leicester City sides, so it was a bit of a surprise to learn that he'd never won there.
Given the way Leicester began the game, it was a bit baffling to understand what the Leicester City boss' gameplan was. While sitting back to allow Arsenal and hit them on the counter attack made sense, Harvey Barnes and James Maddison barely got a look in.
The Foxes even allowed Arsenal plenty of time on the ball, so it was no surprise to see them happy to go into the break with a scoreless half. However, Rodger's may have considered Arsenal's fatigue coming into play in the second half, and that was exactly what transpired.
Jamie Vardy came on, and Leicester City were a different animal entirely. Overall, it was a well managed night from Brendan Rodgers and he finally broke his North London jinx.
#3 Aubameyang's barren run is getting concerning
While the result was a tough pill to swallow, what may be of greater concern to Arsenal fans is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's form of late. The forward has failed to score in the Premier League since the opening fixture against Fulham.
Ever since he signed the new contract, Aubameyang's performances have been middling, to say the least. While it's not time for all out alarm yet, as he found the net against Rapid Wien in midweek, the trend is nonetheless concerning.
The Gabonese stiker is also not being helped by his manager, who decided to start him down the right wing and placed a heavy defensive ask on his shoulders. Typically, Aubameyang responded, but one cannot but help notice that Arsenal would be better off with his goals rather than his tackles.
#2 Jamie Vardy's never ending party at the Emirates
Jamie Vardy is a nailed on performer for the big games. Given that he's scored a 109 times in the Premier League, it's a staggering stat that 24% of his goals have come against Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.
Even when Leicester were under the cosh in the first half, there was always the hope that Vardy would change things when he inevitably came on. The Englishman loves scoring against Arsenal, and is now as big a thorn in their sides as Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba were.
It was no surprise then to see him score after being assisted by Cengiz Under, although he did spurn a late one-on-one chance to make it 2-0. Either way, Vardy came, he saw, he conquered. Not bad for 30 minutes.
#1 Mesut Ozil's absence felt all the more by Arsenal
It's been no secret that Arsenal are suffering creatively. On a night when they were hit by Leicester's late sucker-punch, that ought to hurt all the more. All of this also amplifies the off-field battle between the club and Mesut Ozil, who would have absolutely had an impact on this game.
Whether by coincidence or by design, Ozil reminded the Arsenal fans of one of his best ever performances in an Arsenal shirt in a social media post prior to the game:
Arsenal managed exactly one shot in the second half, and none after going behind. Arteta obviously found a part of the solution creatively in the first half, but the option of bringing on a player of Ozil's caliber should have existed. These are tough times for the Arsenal boss, and if he doesn't find answers soon, the fans will pose some uncomfortable questions.
