Arsenal have punished Leicester City for missing a string of early chances at the Emirates Stadium, opening up a 2-0 half-time lead this evening.

Theo Walcott of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on February 10, 2015 © Getty Images

Nigel Pearson's side had a chance to open the scoring just a few minutes into the match when Riyad Mahrez played the ball in from out wide, but the winger's effort was turned behind.

Mahrez continued to stretch the Arsenal defenders early on as he was picked out by an Esteban Cambiasso through-ball, but his driven finish was a fraction wide.

Theo Walcott has the first real chance of the evening for the hosts as Santi Cazorla set him up to try to chip the ball beyond Mark Schwarzer, but the veteran keeper made the save.

Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal falls after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on February 10, 2015 © Getty Images

Despite Leicester's early dominance, the Gunners took the lead shortly before the half-hour mark when Laurent Koscielny smashed the ball in at the near post following a corner. Schwarzer had diverted a Mesut Ozil strike behind moments earlier.

The hosts doubled their advantage before the break as Walcott pounced to tap in from a few feet out after Schwarzer denied Ozil for a second time.