EPL Matchday 26: Arsenal vs. Leicester - Preview & LIVE thread

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Post by T-Mach Thu Feb 11, 2016 6:57 pm

If at the start of the season had fans been told that this fixture will be important in determining who wins the last ever BARCLAYS Premier League, fans wouldn't have believed and just laughed it off.Neither would they've believed that Arsenal thrashing of Leicester in King Power would be one of their only two defeats this season and that too their only one at home.

Some set of fans still refuse to believe and some set of fans still laugh.It's just that the former set of fans  and the latter set of fans are now different.The former set of fans are in disbelief that a squad made of rejects and virtual unknowns is topping the most watched league while the latter set of fans are the Leicester faithfuls who seen their team survive relegation scare last season and now see them planning for European nights next season.The latter set of fans now includes a lot of neutrals,fans of teams that cannot win the PL and of course the fans who want the underdogs to win.

Welcome to the story of the season: Leicester City !!

Well flowery introductions aside we welcome an inform Leicester to the Emirates on Sunday evening with ManC and Spuds to play later that evening.Right from the scheduling things seem to fall in place from an Arsenal perspective.No pressure based on the result of our rivals while we can do the same on them if we win.

Leicester are coming to the end of their death run which has of course seen their opponents die while Arsenal are just about to begin theirs.In the next 10 fixtures including this one,we face Leicester, Tottenham away,Manchester United away and Everton away in PL and also have the small matter of dealing with the current World and European champions Barce.To add to all this there's a potential FA Cup QF clash sandwiched in this melee.

While we have just about entered some semblance of form,Leicester riding high on confidence which has seen them conceded just 3 goals in their last 8 times while keeping 5 clean sheets.During this period they faced Liverpool twice,Manchester City twice and Tottenham and have lost only once.If extend it to 10 matches,they've still lost only once and defeated Chelsea and Everton away.

To add to all this they've only the PL to concentrate on.They've crashed out of the cup competitions and they don't have to worry about Europe until next season.  

With all factors in favor of Leicester,what do Arsenal have to do?

I'm gonna base my observations on Leicester's last game against another title challenger and the previous meeting between Arsenal and Leicester.

There's more to Leicester than Mardy

There's been some deservered hyping of Vardy and Mahrez but there's more to Leicester attack than these two.We also need to nullify the player who's passing to these two at the right time: N'Golo Kante.

Had it not been for Mardy,then we would all be talking about N'Golo Kante.These guy has been a revelation in the Leicester's midfield and is one of the reasons why Leicester have flourished in both the ends of the pitch.He has managed his defensive responsibilities in the midfield well while helping the attack immesely.He should be watched out for.

Similarly,Albrighton and Okazaki though not as potent as Mardy they too should be kept in check especially Albrighton who puts in a lot of crosses something that Gabriel seems to struggles with(at least recently).

It's imperative we manage to keep not only Mardy but also the other aforementioned three players in check. So the wingers need to track back well and help out the sidebacks.

The midfield should stay put

This is more of an observation from last week's game vs. Manchester City.Leicester were bypassing Man City's midfield like it didn't exist and it was one of the primary reasons why every Leicester had the ball it seemed like they'll score.It was coz their midfield was all over the place.I know our midfield is better than ManC's but its important we start Coq as the DM rather than Flam so that he can hold his position in the middle than Flam.Ramsey too needs to curb his attacking intent to some extent for this game at least.

Don't expect an encore

When we faced Leicester in the King Power, they were still in search of their first clean sheet and moreover most including the players and fans thought Leicster was going through a purple patch and will soon come crashing down from the top.However,they've tightened at the back as can be seen from their recent defensive record.There initial strategy must've been to outscore their opponents but now they're capable of winning against anyone while maintaining their defensive capability.Also the chance of genuinely being title challengers will ensure they up their game than when we faced them at King Power.So,this game I believe won't be as free scoring as the 5-2 game.

The experience at King Power

Going to sum up all the things that I observed from our thrashing of Leicester in King Power.One of the best ways to beat Leicester is to play their own game albeit better.The high press,quick counters and killer balls that gave us the victory at King Power is the strategy that the Foxes use.So one of the best and proven ways is to beat them at their own game.

Also,I know this might not go down well but how about starting Theo?

I know he's been woeful but so has G-Rude.Maybe G-Rude has been less bad but that's not the point.In our victory vs. Leicester it was Theo who opened the floodgates and to play the quick transition game we need Theo.I know he spoils all our moves while playing in the wings and it'll be better if he's at the end of these moves rather than a part of these.It'll ensure that he gets a chance at his favorite position to prove his credentials as a forward and also to recapture some form.Meanwhile,G-Rude hasn't been very good and has played almost all of our recent games.He can probably do with some rest and we can always bring on G-Rude as a sub and we know how he performs as a supersub.Also when we played Leicester away N'Golo Kante had a subdued performance coz he had to a lot of defending than he is used to and whenever he did have the ball our midfield pressurized him to make mistakes.For this we need Coquelin to START as he know how to snuff out attacks before they begin.Lastly when asked Vardy who's the most difficult defender he has faced this season he said it was Kos.But he managed to score two goals while beating Per for pace.Starting Gab and Kos should be a no-brainer despite Gab not playing very well.

The experience at Etihad

Leicester initial strategy of outscoring opponents has been replaced with much thoughtful stuff.They now try to plan at least for the big boys.They knew ManC struggle defending set pieces and they used that to devastating effect with Huth scoring two and almost would have a hattrick.So we need to ensure our chinks don't get exposed badly.Also ManC gave Leicester too much respect by starting with an extra midfielder and were slow to get off the blocks.Leicester used to score the first goal by the 3rd minute and there was no looking back for them.Arsenal suffer from the same problem.They gave Soton too much respect and started off slowly in the Emirates expecting Soton to do their high press which did in the reverse.We only started to play our game in the second half.We might not such chances vs. Leicester.Also affording too much space can also result in goals as we saw Mahrez score.They do shoot from outside the D and we should be wary of that.

So,the team I'd ideally like to would be the same team that played at Bournemouth with the two changes I proposed above.Coquelin instead of Flamini and Theo instead of G-Rude.Also substitutions at the right time can help our cause.We've got G-Rude and Campbell on the bench who should come on for Theo and Ox(the latter will certainly for sure) if we ain't scoring coz its vital we win this.

Expected Formations


EPL Matchday 26: Arsenal vs. Leicester - Preview & LIVE thread Suzie_q


Stats

EPL Matchday 26: Arsenal vs. Leicester - Preview & LIVE thread Nzom

Views from foxestalk.co.uk

Foxfanazer wrote:We'll shit 'em!

In all seriousness we should go with no fear and approach this game the same way we did today. A win would be amazing, a draw good and a loss ok


sdb wrote:Toughest game of the season so far, probably full stop. And they spanked us at our place (albeit with a little luck early on). I'd take a draw for sure.

Sat in the home end which could be unbearable. I'm not going to sleep much this week I'm that excited already!!!


Callabinho wrote:Arsenal are a class outfit with plenty of world class talent at their disposal.....however......

They're not fighters, if we play like we did against man city then we shall slap them silly. There is a reason to why they bottle it every year....they're not fighters or grafters .....


Sharpe's Fox wrote:These are perennial bottlers, they don't have the mental strength to win an egg-and-spoon race. I have no doubt we will get a result here.

Videos


To strengthen our resolve I present you this


FINAL VERDICT: Deshi Deshi Bashara Bashara

NOTE: Leicester fans are expected to kinda boycott the game and come into the stadium after the fifth stadium and also hold banners protesting the rising ticket prices.
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Post by T-Mach Thu Feb 11, 2016 7:00 pm

Sorry for the late preview, got held up with work.Further this is the maximum image size which GL will accept without missing any part of the image,so I cannot help it that the text in the images are difficult to read.
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Post by REWB Thu Feb 11, 2016 7:06 pm

Wow nice, great stuff. Going to read it matchday to get hype.
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Post by Raptorgunner Fri Feb 12, 2016 2:40 am

Excellent preview.Thumbs up  

Dont want to sound cocky; but I know we will put them in their place once again. If we cant stop Leicester than we might as well forfeit the CL games. Wink


Last edited by Raptorgunner on Fri Feb 12, 2016 5:24 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Post by El Gunner Fri Feb 12, 2016 3:56 pm

Great effort TMach.

Kinda nervous for this one. Hell will break loose if we lose and many including our own set of fans will consider us out of the title race.
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Post by Raptorgunner Fri Feb 12, 2016 5:23 pm

El Gunner wrote:Great effort TMach.

Kinda nervous for this one. Hell will break loose if we lose and many including our own set of fans will consider us out of the title race.


There will be no “IFs” come Sunday, No excuses we must win. I dont care about tittle race, never believe in it. I just want us to win, every game is a step and you never know we could end up with the damn tittle.
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Post by RealGunner Fri Feb 12, 2016 7:45 pm

Great preview Tmach


Going to sum up all the things that I observed from our thrashing of Leicester in King Power.One of the best ways to beat Leicester is to play their own game albeit better.The high press,quick counters and killer balls that gave us the victory at King Power is the strategy that the Foxes use.So one of the best and proven ways is to beat them at their own game.

Agreed with that. Leicester are an open team who don't exactly park the bus. They will come to attack us as they are better at that. We need to be clever with our passes and prevent losing the ball high up the pitch. Leicester's strongest strength is their counter attacks.

Ozil and Sanchez will be the key. We need to get the first goal. COnfident we will win


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Post by EL Patron Sat Feb 13, 2016 12:36 pm

I don't think Leicester will play an open game.They are 5 points ahead of us and a draw would be a decent result for them so they don't need to play an open game and attack unless they are really naive. I can see them sitting off and looking to surprise us on the counter attack, a bit like they did City.

Even if they play this way, I can see us creating some chances and getting one or two goals. We haven't been ruthless enough in front of goals so someone is bound to get one sooner or later.
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Post by Peccadillo Sun Feb 14, 2016 8:13 am

thanks for the preview. need paulista to bring his A game.
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Post by Sri Sun Feb 14, 2016 8:35 am

Great preview T-Rex!

You mentioned that we're starting our death run melee - actually, I believe we're in the thick of it. And failing hopelessly after those 3 from 9 points.

Here's hoping we start turning it around. Might as well give up on football and Arsenal otherwise. :/

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Post by T-Mach Sun Feb 14, 2016 10:59 am

Thanks for the pleasant compliments guys.

I hope the regulars will take over with putting up the lineups coz I don't really have an idea by what time it'll be up.

@EL P
Do actually have a team that can park the bus?

I honestly don't think so.Barring their CBs their defense ain't watertight.Heck,this was the defense that allowed the horror hairdo ManC kid on his PL debut so much time, for his cross from which Aguero score.

But you're right about their thinking,they can come to Emirates with their usual "Let's enjoy the game" attitude knowing fully well even a defeat will still allow them to see others from the top.Not saying they wouldn't mind losing which they would but they know they've got a easier set of fixtures coming their way than the other prospective title challengers.

Gab needn't even bring his A-game IMO.He struggles with crosses the most which I believe Leicester use sparingly compared to their counter attacks.We'll be just about fine if he can concentrate.

Also,saw some reports stating the toughest defender that Vardy and Ighalo have faced this season happens to be Kos.

InB4HeScoresTwoOwnGoals,TopplesOverAnOnrushingCech&GetsSentOff.

@SriG,

When we ever at the top,I never considered a team with Migs as a GK,a team of relegation battlers and pseudo-Barca boys to constitute a death run for us.Oh,how wrong I was!
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Post by Sri Sun Feb 14, 2016 11:12 am

EPL Matchday 26: Arsenal vs. Leicester - Preview & LIVE thread CbK4nBEWcAAOdrl

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Post by Sri Sun Feb 14, 2016 11:14 am

Return of DAT GUY Proud

Ox keeps his place. Actually not sure if he's done enough to displace Joel, but looks like AW sees it that way.

Coq starts, finally. No more Flamsey, for now Proud

Gabriel slight hammy according to twatter.

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Post by Sri Sun Feb 14, 2016 11:14 am

Ooh 100th PL app for Ox too!

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Post by Sri Sun Feb 14, 2016 11:16 am

EPL Matchday 26: Arsenal vs. Leicester - Preview & LIVE thread CbK5CAvWAAAQPoi

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Post by EL Patron Sun Feb 14, 2016 12:16 pm

fantastic save by Cech, Bellerin napping there
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Post by EL Patron Sun Feb 14, 2016 12:27 pm

The amount of time we are giving the ball away in front of the back four :facepalm:
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Post by EL Patron Sun Feb 14, 2016 12:39 pm

What a save by Cech, geez

He saw that last minute
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Post by RealGunner Sun Feb 14, 2016 12:43 pm

we loaned out debuchy to Bordeaux lol?
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Post by EL Patron Sun Feb 14, 2016 12:44 pm

Oh well, that was coming to be honest. From the counter attack
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Post by Sri Sun Feb 14, 2016 12:49 pm

3 big decisions. Not one being in Arsenal's favor.

Blind fashfaodghsdklöghklsdiopbhj ägh

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Post by EL Patron Sun Feb 14, 2016 12:53 pm

That was poor defending from us to be honest, you are meant to defend from the front and win the ball back quickly but we didn't in that occasion. We just allowed Leicester to build the attack and it led to the counter attack. very poor but Leicester have been the better team so they deserve it
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Post by EL Patron Sun Feb 14, 2016 1:03 pm

So 1-0 down

Created f all so far

Coquelin booked

Koscielny off injured

Can we come back ? I will take a draw right now
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Post by Chumlum Sun Feb 14, 2016 1:04 pm

Was just thinking up until the penalty that it was a well-contested match, both physically and footballistically. Damn.

What a weak penalty, and within the last couple minutes of the half, a bunch of yellows.

Arsenal vs Jamie Vardy & Yellow Cardy.

Now Chambers? Hmmmmmmm.
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Post by EL Patron Sun Feb 14, 2016 1:10 pm

Need more quality in the final third, our end product has been meh today
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