Arsenal vs Leicester: 3 tactical areas to exploit

3. Kasper Schmeichel is Having a Poor Season

One of the most trusted goalkeepers in the division, Kasper Schmeichel’s form this season has been remarkably poor considering the high regard he was once held in.

His PSxG (post-shot expected goals) is -1.8, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

Heavily criticised by his own supporters this season, Schmeichel has shown a total unwillingness to come off his line and claim crosses – think Bernd Leno but only worse. Even when he does he’s looked dreadfully uncertain, failing to command his box and in the process and unsettling his backline.

However, Arsenal aren’t the most efficient crossing team in the league, simply because they have nobody to aim for. His weakness at wide deliveries is more suited to corners. Instead, where Arsenal should be targeting is his underwhelming distribution.

Regularly lambasted by his supporters, the target of the Gunners’ pressing should be balanced on all the defenders with the aim of forcing the ball back to the keeper.

Arsenal may appear to be a high pressing team, but on all the metrics they aren’t. It doesn’t class as ‘aggressive’ and they let the opposition pass the ball around more than most before any progressive passes are made.

The aim of the Gunners’ press is to move the ball into the areas they want. It’s about cutting passing lanes and forcing long kicks. Against Leicester, the aim of those long balls has to be for Schmeichel. He is a weakness.