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Arsenal: 4 things we’d like to see vs Leicester

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on October 25, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on October 25, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Sambi
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Albert Sambi Lokonga and Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter anti-racism movement during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

2. Play the Same Team – In the Same Way

It follows on from the notion of believing the team can replicate their application into other stadiums. If they are to do so, then it has to be attributed in the right way.

In other words, do as they did against Villa. Play the same team that put in the most complete performance of the season.

Usually tepid in how they build-up and not engaged outside of their own third, the way Arsenal pressed in a 4-2-3-1 shape where the wingers shifted infield to cover lanes and allow a free central midfielder to control transitions was the simple matter of playing to everyone’s strengths.

Working brilliantly, it saw the full-backs charge down on Villa’s wing-backs when the Gunners’ wide players shifted inwards, forcing Cash and Targett back into a back five and in turn building a foundation to sustain pressure.

Some of the football Arsenal played was breathless and Lacazette’s divine one-touch combination play coupled with Thomas Partey and Sambi Lokonga always having an option on the ball brought the best out of everyone on the pitch.

There is no reason to change. Whatsoever. Leicester may feel they can plan accordingly to combat that approach, but if done successfully against an even more frail back three, by the time they adjust to the system in-game it may already be too late.

Continued on next page…

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