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Leicester striker Jamie Vardy has scored 18 Premier League goals for the Foxes this season

Jamie Vardy scored twice as Leicester dented Arsenal's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League with a dominant victory at the King Power Stadium.

The unmarked Youri Tielemans headed in a cross from James Maddison just before the hour mark, then Vardy struck late on with a header and a tap-in from close range.

Arsenal played almost an hour of the contest with 10 men after Ainsley Maitland-Niles was sent off.

A third successive Premier League defeat left them two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who drew 1-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford in Sunday's late kick-off.

Leicester can still finish seventh - they are three points behind Wolves with two matches left - which could earn a Europa League place depending on the outcome of the FA Cup final.

Arsenal's task was made significantly more difficult after Maitland-Niles was sent off for the first time in his career following two bookings in the space of 28 minutes - for a soft foul on Ben Chilwell and then needlessly scything down Maddison near the halfway line.

However, a three-goal margin flattered Arsenal and, even with a full complement of players, it is difficult to envisage a different outcome such was the conviction of the performance of Brendan Rodgers' Leicester.

Arsenal were indebted to goalkeeper Bernd Leno for a string of fine saves, the pick a magnificent one-handed diving effort to paw away a Wilfred Ndidi header.

Brendan Rodgers full of praise for in-form Jamie Vardy

Deja vu for Gunners and Vardy

Arsenal fans must be fed up with the sight of Vardy, such is the former England's striker's potency against them.

He has scored eight goals in as many matches against the Gunners - and now has 10 in his past nine appearances against any opposition.

While much has been made of the young squad that Rodgers will seek mould at Leicester, 32-year-old Vardy remains an influential presence.

He may not quite have the explosive pace which fired Leicester to the title in 2015-16, but the intelligence and timing of his runs remain sharp.

His first goal came after he lifted the ball over Leno, watched it rebound against the crossbar, then headed it home.

His second, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, was a routine finish from Ricardo Pereira's low cross.

Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, left, had the same number of touches inside the penalty area (eight) as Arsenal strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette did combined

Emery must remedy away-day blues

Arsenal have won only twice away from home in the league this season.

On the evidence of this performance, it appears as much as mindset issue as personnel for Unai Emery's side.

Where the Gunners brim with vim and vigour in the confines of Emirates Stadium, that seemingly dissipates on the road as caution infects their approach.

There was notable reluctance - even before Maitland-Niles was sent off - for players to express themselves. It was safety and conservatism over risk-taking and ambition.

Fatigue, given their Europa League run - they play the first leg of the semi-final against Valencia on Thursday - was perhaps a prohibitive factor in this instance, but the trend for the season has already been established.

Can Leicester hold on to Tielemans?

Youri Tielemans netted his fourth goal for Leciester since his loan move from Monaco in January

"Sign him up, sign him up, sign him up," sang the Leicester fans with added gusto after Tielemans scored and again at the full-time whistle.

The 21-year-old Belgium international oozed class with a mature midfield display, capped by a powerful header.

Tielemans has been directly involved in seven goals in his past nine league games, with three goals and four assists.

He joined Leicester on loan from Monaco in January until the end of the season.

Rodgers will surely be eager to sign the talented youngster, although more eye-catching performances mean he is not going to be short of suitors.

Man of the match - James Maddison (Leicester)

James Maddison was the fulcrum of Leicester's attacking threat as he provided the X-factor in the final third. This was a performance laced with audacious tricks and clever flicks, although there was plenty of substance too.

'Red card changed the game' - what they said

Ainsley Maitland-Niles did not deserve red card - Unai Emery

Arsenal boss Unai Emery said: "Today the condition [for losing] is the red card.

"We worked, we prepared our game plan, 11 v 11 the match was going like we prepared.

"For me the first yellow card for [Maitland-Niles] is not for me, it has affected our game plan a lot. One player less is difficult.

"We will continue, we will not look at the table, the Europa League is a big motivation for us to win it."

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers said: "Firstly our defence was nice and aggressive and we pressed the game really well.

"When it was 11 v 11 I thought we were the better team.

"There were areas we could be better in but the energy, pressing, quailty and three outstanding goals.

"I'm very pleased we got our reward for our hard work."

Rodgers revival continues - the stats

Only Liverpool and Manchester City have earned more Premier League points than the 16 Leicester have won since Brendan Rodgers took charge in March.

Leicester won back-to-back home league games against Arsenal for the first time since November 1983.

Arsenal have lost three consecutive league games, conceding at least three goals in each for the first time since 1966.

Arsenal have lost four of their past five league games, as many defeats as they suffered in their previous 29.

Only Manchester United (6) have been shown more red cards than Arsenal (5) among Premier League sides in all competitions this season.

What's next?

Arsenal host relegation strugglers Brighton next Sunday (16:30 BST), while Leicester travel to Manchester City on Monday, 6 May (20:00).