Arsenal revived their hopes of playing in European competition next season after goals from David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe helped them to a 3-1 win at Leicester City in an entertaining English Premier League (EPL) clash on Sunday (February 28).

The result lifted Arsenal two places up to ninth on 37 points from 26 games while Leicester stayed third on 49 points after suffering a second setback in three days following their Europa League elimination.

Leicester, who exited Europe’s second-tier competition with a 2-0 home defeat by Slavia Prague on Thursday, took a sixth-minute lead against Arsenal as Youri Tielemans cut inside the area from the right flank and fired a low shot into the far corner.

The Gunners equalised in the 39th when Luiz headed a Willian cross into the bottom right corner and Lacazette turned the tide in first-half stoppage time as he drilled in a penalty after a VAR check showed Wilfred Ndidi had handled the ball in the area.

Poor defending cost Leicester again in the 52nd minute as they allowed the visitors to break through the middle before Willian slipped the ball to Pepe and the Ivorian forward tucked it into an empty net.

Thomas Partey continued his return to fitness by stepping off the bench just after the hour mark, and the Gunners remained in control throughout the second half.

Tierney came close with a firm strike that flew wide, before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – on as a late substitute – curled a shot just beyond the far post as Arsenal went in search of a fourth. 

But in the end, a rollercoaster Arsenal had to settle for three goals, and three points to cap off a fine few days.