Arsenal vs Leicester: 3 important players for crucial clash

3. Gabriel/Benjamin White

Two for the price of one.

Arsenal fans have reveled in the solidity their defensive players have brought to the team: Ramsdale is exceptional, with a winning mentality to boot, Tomiyasu provides defensive cover and strength in build up, going about his work a bit quieter than Ramsdale, and while Tierney has not been his usual swashbuckling self but this may be due to tactical instruction.

The most noticeable improvement, however, has been in the center of the defense.

Not too long ago, Arsenal were lining up with Sokratis and Mustafi anchoring the back line. Yes, that actually happened. Since those dark days, the defense has improved leaps and bounds. Gabriel and Benjamin White are the archetypal modern center-backs; they are midfielders playing in defence. Aerially imposing, quick on the ground and solid on the ball, the two defenders complement their skill sets and temperaments well.

The Brazilian presses higher, challenging the first ball while White slides in behind and covers the second ball. Gabriel does well to stay compact should White go on one of his effective and eye-catching slaloming runs. Everything just works. Recently, however, the stable foundation of the team has looked less so.

The two matches against Wolves exhibited lapses in concentration and slack passing, while the one against Watford showed more of the same. Leicester City boast one of the better attacks in the league despite their unfavorable league position, and although Jamie Vardy has been ruled out, the likes of Harvey Barnes, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ayoze Perez possess incredible pace, smart off-the-ball movement and finishing ability.

Gabriel and White must rediscover the defensive resilience they showed only a few weeks ago.