Leicester City’s valiant effort in their 4-2 defeat to Arsenal may not have brought them any points, but one of their attackers shone brightly amid the disappointment.
The Foxes were close to pulling off a remarkable comeback, and it was clear that, despite the scoreline, Steve Cooper’s side performed with determination and grit.
Coming into the match, Cooper faced growing pressure. There had been rumblings about his tactical choices, particularly his decision to persist with James Justin in the starting line-up over Ricardo Pereira.
Critics were vocal, questioning whether Justin’s selection was justified, given his form. But Cooper’s gamble paid dividends in an unexpected way, as Justin delivered a standout performance, scoring twice to bring Leicester back into the contest from two goals down.
Leicester’s defensive efforts kept Arsenal at bay for long stretches, and they even managed to equalise late in the game.
However, just as it seemed the Foxes might complete an improbable comeback, Arsenal scored a decisive fourth goal to seal the match. The final score of 4-2 hardly did justice to Leicester’s battling display.
Among the Leicester players, one in particular stood out—Facundo Buonanotte. The Argentinian winger, on loan from Brighton, was instrumental in Leicester’s attempts to take the game to Arsenal, and his performance has rightly earned him praise.
Buonanotte played a key role in setting up Leicester’s first goal, providing the assist for Justin’s opener.
His creativity and energy on the right flank gave Leicester a much-needed outlet, and he continually looked to drive his team forward, even when they were under intense pressure from the Gunners.
Rob Tanner, writing on X (formerly Twitter), was full of admiration for Buonanotte’s attitude and effort.
“I like Buonanotte. He has got spirit. I like his attitude. He has been starved of the ball but obviously has quality, but above all, he never stops trying and battling,” Tanner noted.
The statistics underline just how influential Buonanotte was in the match. According to Sofascore, he had 35 touches of the ball and completed one key pass.
Even more impressively, his crossing accuracy was flawless, with a 100% success rate. While his attacking contributions were vital, his defensive work was equally noteworthy.
The winger won six ground duels and made three clearances, along with three tackles and an interception. It was a complete performance from the 19-year-old, showing maturity beyond his years.
Buonanotte’s efforts on both sides of the ball made a real difference for Cooper’s side, and it’s clear that he will be a key figure for Leicester as they seek to pull away from the relegation zone in the coming weeks.
His performance against Arsenal has certainly given the Foxes something to build on, and if they can maintain this level of intensity and spirit, there is reason for optimism.
Cooper, too, will take heart from Buonanotte’s display. While the result was not what he wanted, the performance of his team, particularly that of the Argentine winger, suggests there is plenty of fight left in Leicester’s bid to survive in the Premier League. As long as players like Buonanotte continue to step up, there will be hope for the Foxes in the weeks ahead.