What Leicester boss said about Iheanacho's missed chance in closing minutes vs Arsenal

Leicester City's Champions League dream suffered a blow following their 3-1 loss to Arsenal at the King Power Stadium despite taking an early lead through Youri Tielemans.

The Foxes were hoping for a turnaround after Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe scored to give the Gunners a two-goal lead seven minutes after the restart.

Kelechi Iheanacho was tasked with playmaking duties in the absence of the injured James Maddison, and the Nigeria international had two opportunities to score during the game.

In the 35th minute, the number 14 made an audacious attempt to score from 30 yards out but his effort was held by goalkeeper Leno and in stoppage time he went close again as he hit the ball over from close range.

Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers rued the missed chance by Iheanacho in the closing minutes of the contest that would have set up a nervy finish for Mikel Arteta's side if he had found the net.

"The second half was better, but we’re disappointed with the third goal. They can drop their lines then, they’re 3-1 up, and they can control the game from deeper," Rodgers told LCFC TV.

"We still had chances. Kels (Kelechi Iheanacho) had a chance at the end, where it could have gone to 3-2 with a couple of minutes to go, you never know, but overall, we didn’t deserve to win the game."

Iheanacho has been involved in nine goals (5 goals, 4 assists) from 24 appearances in all competitions in 2020-2021.

Igho Kingsley