Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal v Leicester City Preview: Build Some Momentum

By Josh Sippie

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Arsenal disposed of Tottenham in the middle of the week by a score of 2-1. It was a good win, as any win usually is, but the same problems sprung up. Arsenal had trouble scoring and they looked nervy in defense with a lead. It took two borderline miraculous goals from Mathieu Flamini to secure an advance in the League Cup.

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Leicester City is going to provide challenges that Arsenal may not be ready for. The speed of their attack is potent and with Gabriel suspended, that means that Per Mertesacker will be stepping into the fray. If there is one thing Per Mertesacker is not, it is fast. Plus, given the fact that he is just now getting healthy, he may still be a bit rusty.

Francis Coquelin’s absence makes it even more nervy. If Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker are trying to stifle this Arsenal offense, be ready for trouble.

Predicted Line: Arsenal 2 – 2 Leicester City

Get Alexis Going

The fact that Alexis leads the known world in shots but has yet to score a goal is a little bit worrisome. He was our champion last year and this season is a different story. However, a lot of those shots required a strategically placed post or an acrobatic master save to stop a goal.

That being said, once Alexis wets his appetite for goals, Arsenal will be in for a treat. He will be up against Jeffrey Schlupp, who has a knack for getting forward. If Alexis can take advantage of that, his opportunities may multiply.

Speed Kills

I may have already beat this point to death, but with no Gabriel and no Coquelin, that leaves Arsenal with the likes of Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta trying to stop the high-flying, counter attacking masters that Leicester City has become. I don’t particularly like that scenario.

This Leicester City squad has momentum manifest and they will be firing on all cylinders. Arsenal have their work cut out for them if they expect to leave the Fox’s den with any points.

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Get Behind The Defense

For as fast as this Fox offense is, their defense is a bunch of Mertesackers. Just not quite as slow. Leicester have some big defenders such as Robert Huth. He is a fantastic defender who could negate Olivier Giroud but Theo Walcott may be able to weasel his way into some pretty killer runs if he can get in behind them.

Hopefully Arsene Wenger opts to move Ramsey into the center of the defense and start the Ox to give Arsenal some added speed and width against a team that that will be sorely needed against.

Next: Next Week Could Define The Season

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