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

Saturday is set up to be an enticing encounter as Arsenal travel to the King Power Stadium to take on a Leicester side chasing similar ambitions this season.

Prior to the Premier League starting the division is usually separated into the groups of teams vying for certain goals: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool were an almost set in stone top four troupe.

Below that are the teams aiming for European competitions: West Ham, Leicester, Tottenham, Everton and Arsenal were the main contenders. The likes of Aston Villa and Leeds will have also laid claim to be involved in there, while Brighton have been the surprise package this term.

United’s current misery is seeing a gaping hole vacated in the top four hunt, a spot which many of the teams fighting slightly below may now be setting their sights on. Arsenal and Leicester will have internal ambitions to put a cat among the pigeons.

4 things we’d like to see from Arsenal against Leicester as Mikel Arteta’s side take on the Foxes in Saturday’s Premier League clash

With eight games unbeaten in all competitions and nine played in the league, the clash with Brendan Rodgers’ side constitutes the first away trip for Arsenal against a team in that section below the top four.

It is by all accounts a huge meeting, one that can have a big psychological impact as well as affecting the look of the table.

This is a true test of Arteta’s side and is set to offer the biggest indication yet of whether or not this team has the capacity to continue growing and eventually challenging at the right end of the Premier League (not the top four, we hasten to add).

How will it pan out? It’s near impossible to call; Leicester’s defensive record is among the worst this campaign while Arsenal haven’t exactly been pulling up trees on the road. Alas, here’s what we’d like to see against the Foxes.

1. Prove That This Confidence Isn’t Selective

The way Arsenal put Aston Villa to the sword last time out in the league was not only a confidence boost for the supporters who feared the worst pre-game. Fans saw the limpness of what took place a few days prior, witnessing a side that retreated into its shell, fearful instead of front-footed.

To then host the Villans and not only start with intensity and purpose but the sustain it for long enough that the result was beyond doubt demonstrated the self-belief this squad has. That was a team that believed in itself to play the style they’re capable of. It was no holds barred football.

What is key to remember in this recent run is that Arsenal have played five of their last six matches on home soil. Of all six of those games, the weakest showing of all came in the only away fixture: the 0-0 draw with Brighton.

Backed by an invigorated Emirates crowd who’ve been spectacular all season, the added benefit of their backing has spurred the team on to positive results. While the away following is and always has been equally spectacular, the players need to show that their confidence to play isn’t reserved for north London.

Home form has been Arteta’s Achilles heel during his tenure, especially last season, so the team’s ability to transmit the energy and approach they’ve shown at the Emirates into tough away grounds against fellow European hopefuls will be arguably the biggest test of all.

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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.

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3. If You Aren’t Going to Win, Make Sure You Don’t Lose

Looking at the run of games in sets of three – Aston Villa, Leicester and Watford – as much as 12 points would be magnificent heading into the third international break, realistically securing ten from those matches would have been gladly accepted.

Especially after what was seen against Crystal Palace.

Leicester may be leaking goals at the moment but they are having no issues scoring them. Rodgers’ side are finally looking like they’re kicking into gear with their own unbeaten run spanning five matches, and with their next Europa League match not until Thursday night they will have plenty of time to recuperate. It will be full throttle from them.

A win would do wonders for this team and the manager. That is the target from the offset. It would feel like the announcement video to a new product. No match this season would instill more belief in the fans and more fear into others that Arsenal are on the right path.

Drawing this game wouldn’t be nightmarish, though.

Depending on game state, how well Leicester cope with what Arsenal throw at them and the general level of performance from either side, a point from this one followed up by three against Watford would sit well. That isn’t to say a James Maddison 94th minute equaliser wouldn’t be gut-wrenching and absolutely be regarded at two points dropped, but leaving here with a point keep the run going on what is a tricky ground.

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4. Jamie Vardy Kept at Bay – For Once

Jamie Vardy has scored more Premier League goals against Arsenal (11) than against any other opponent in the competition. Those goals have come in just 13 appearances.

He’s someone you’d love if he played for his team, whereas you loathe him when he’s playing against you. Similarly, a lot of rival supporters weren’t too fond of Jack Wilshere, while we all adored him. There are always a few players like that.

The problem with Vardy is that he always scores against Arsenal. His record is remarkable.

If he were to score and Arsenal go on to win anyone then nobody would complain. But Arsenal have not kept a clean sheet in their last eight league meetings with Leicester and, guess what, Vardy has scored eight goals during that time.

Keeping him quiet will play a huge role on Saturday as not only do his goals hurt the team, his constant stretching of the play is what makes the spaces for Maddison to operate in and helps Kelechi Iheanacho peel off into the box.

With Benjamin White and Gabriel in the defence Arsenal have not been better equipped to deal with his presence. Stop Vardy from scoring and the strong odds are that Arsenal will stop the Foxes from scoring too.