Arsenal vs Leicester: 5 Things The Gunners Must Do To Stop The League Leaders

5 Things The Gunners Must Do To Stop Leicester

Arsenal will take on Leicester City at the Emirates stadium on Sunday, in what has turned into a very crucial match, which could decide the final destination of the Premier League trophy. Arsenal come into this match on the back of a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth last weekend but it would be foolish for them to relax at this stage given that they are about to host the league leaders next. Yes Leicester are leading the English Premier League and they have done on their merit, no luck involved. Their emphatic victory against Manchester City on Saturday sent shock waves across the footballing world. Its finally time we took them seriously. A defeat for Wenger’s men on Sunday could seriously put a huge dent in their title credentials, hence a victory is a must.

1. Do what Leicester does best.

Looking at Leicester City this season, if we have learnt one thing it’s that they do like to win the ball back quickly, pressuring the opposition with high pressing and forcing them to make a mistake. Arsenal need to keep the ball, they can’t misplace passes under pressure because that’s exactly what City want. The fact that Arsenal have already beaten Leicester this season, should give them confidence going into this match. If the Gunners are going to win this match, they need to make sure that they dominate large chunks of the match. They need to keep possession and not lose the ball quickly

2. Be clinical in front of the goal

 

Mesut Ozil’s goal against Bournemouth was the first goal scored by Arsenal after three Premier League matches, that’s a stat not many will associate with them. One thing which will be worrying Ranieri is the number of goals they have let in this season, Arsenal need to take advantage of any slack defending by the City players. Therefore players like Giroud, Walcott, Ozil and Sanchez need to make use of any opportunities they get in and around the box.

3. Be strong in the midfield.

Manuel Pellegrini showed respect to his opposition last weekend and brought in an extra midfielder to protect the back four against Vardy and Mahrez but unfortunately for him, that wasn’t enough. Wenger will need to decide which two players he should select as his defensive midfielders, whether it will be Flamini and Ramsey again or will we see Coquelin returning to the starting XI. Whoever starts in the role needs to be switched on from the first minute, they need to stop the service to Vardy upfront. One feels this is a game which will be won in the midfield.

4.  Start Walcott upfront.

I know Walcott is struggling for form but given that the last match we played against Leicester was won primarily using his pace one feels he is the right man for this match as well. Giroud is going through a dry spell right now and looks in desperate need of some rest, hence starting Walcott might not be that bad an option. His speed always gives the midfielders another option and Ranieri will be forced to play a little deeper to compensate for his movement.

5. Do something about Vardy and Mahrez.

In Mahrez, Leicester have a player who has now entered double figures in terms of goals scored and assists this season and in Vardy they have Premier League’s top scorer this season. Therefore if Arsenal want to win this match, they need to make sure that Vardy and Mahrez are kept quiet for as long as they can be. Any freedom given to them could result in a disaster for the Gunners. Gabriel and Koscielny need to stay solid in the centre and give no space to any of the Leicester City players.