Arsenal vs Leicester: 4 pre-match talking points

Brendan Rodgers and Leicester decided to dispel the ‘bottle job’ label bestowed upon them in recent Premier League seasons by simply not partaking in the top four race entirely. Arsenal are leading it.

Indeed, you can’t throw away a Champions League place if you’re not in it to begin with. Circumstances few expected see these two sides meet on Sunday with eight places and 15 points separating them.

European commitments, injuries and some atrocious defending have all played their part in the Foxes hugely underwhelming campaign. Recording just nine wins from their 25 league outings to date, they’re currently on a run of four in a row in all competitions, including a solid 2-0 victory in the first leg of their Europa Conference League tie with Rennes on Thursday.

For them the only remaining goal is to lift their first ever piece of European silverware, one that grants immediate entry into the Europa League, which they face an uphill battle to qualify for in the Premier League.

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Arsenal vs Leicester: 4 pre-match talking points as Mikel Arteta’s side aim to maintain Premier League top four push on Sunday

Might that see Rodgers rest some players on Sunday? It’s possible, but unlikely.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are aiming to consolidate their spot in fourth, a position they occupied before the weekend began. With 13 matches left to play, the game against Leicester is one of only five against teams in the bottom half of the table.

It’s sure to be an interesting clash. Arsenal have failed to win either of the two previous home meetings with Sunday’s opposition, although the absence of one Jamie Vardy from the visiting squad will be music to pretty much everyone’s ears.

Ahead of the game there are some talking points to delve into, as well as some things we’d like to see from the team.

1. Leicester’s Poor Penalty Record

Top of the charts for most penalties conceded this season is Norwich, whose cycle of being too strong for the Championship and hopelessly too weak for the Premier League looks set to continue.

Given they concede so much possession and don’t even know how to spell the word defend, their tally of ten penalties given away this season is less surprising than it should be. Next in line though? Well it’s Leicester, of course.

Caglar Soyuncu, who was in the PFA Team of the Season two years ago, has looked anything but sturdy at the back, while the £15m signing of Jannik Vestergaard has to go down as one of the worst pieces of business this season. The centre-back has been horrendous.

Injuries to various other defenders, including Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans, have contributed to the dreadful defensive record, and collectively the team’s six penalties conceded will be food for thought for one Alexandre Lacazette.

Because that’s what we’re looking for, right? A spot-kick is just about the captain’s best chance of scoring, and if Arsenal keep flooding the visitors’ box there are sure to be a few dangling legs hanging around to trip someone up.

Will six become seven?

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2. Can Arsenal Record a First Clean Sheet in 3 Games?

Having opted against signing any new forwards in January, as well as seeing defensive improvements across the season, it was always thought there would be a few tight games for Arsenal across this final run-in.

That has been the case so far. Their past four games have all been won by a single goal margin, although only one of those saw the Gunners keep a shutout.

Defensively the team hasn’t looked as solid. One obvious link to that is the absence of Takehiro Tomiyasu, who provides a more natural balance to the side, one where Kieran Tierney is given greater license to get forward.

But on the whole there has been some general shakiness in many. Tierney hasn’t looked as secure, Gabriel has been guilty of sloppy moments, Aaron Ramsdale isn’t exuding the same calming aura and Cedric is never far away from a brainless pass or hopeless cross.

There are teams you’d rather face than Leicester if a clean sheet is what you’re after, though. The Foxes may have the 15th worst away record in the division but they have scored 18 goals in 12 away matches, a tally bettered by only six teams. For all their many faults, they do know where the back of the net is.

Ahead of facing Liverpool, a clean sheet would do confidence the world of good.

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3. The James Maddison & Martin Odegaard Narrative

£55m! £60m! £65m! £70m!!!!! Rob Holding plus cash!!!!!!!

The clamour for James Maddison’s signature over the summer was perpetual. Martin Odegaard was viewed as a huge downgrade by large section of the fanbase, many of whom see a price tag and attribute quality to the figure.

Maddison certainly was an interesting option. There was a lot to like. Yet it appeared that the journalists peddling the story were being deceived. Many since the summer believe the Maddison talk was an Arsenal instigated smokescreen to silently lower the Real Madrid’s asking price..

In the end, not one of those previously swayed supporters wishes the club had signed the Leicester man. Much like with Ramsdale, there are some humble pies that you’ll gladly tuck into. He’s the far superior player. No debate.

For Sunday’s game – the first time Maddison will visit the Emirates Stadium since the saga – for the sake of the narrative it would be delightful if Odegaard could put on a storming show, totally outclassing his opposite creative force and etching a grin right across Arteta and everyone else’s faces. No Maddison screamer please, we can’t take.

However, “you’re just a sh*t Martin Odegaard” doesn’t quite work, sadly.

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4. Can Arsenal Set Liverpool up for a Free Hit?

Just three days after taking on Leicester, Arsenal will once again play hosts, but this time to Liverpool.

The three meetings between the sides this term has ended with an aggregate of 6-0 in the Reds’ favour, with all three clashes classing as pretty chastising ties for Arteta’s men. At home there is always the belief that the Gunners can win on account of their fine Emirates form, but when it’s a Liverpool side who are this exceptional it’s best not to get any hopes up.

Is it a free hit? Arsenal would benefit massively from a statement win and you know for certain that Arteta will set his team out only to claim three points.

Yet, beating Leicester would give Arsenal some welcome breathing space for the midweek clash. It’s a game they can just about afford to lose on account of the fine work in getting into the top four with games still in hand.

While no game should be viewed as a free hit, Arsenal have been second best for roughly 95% of the time they’ve faced Liverpool this season. Beating the Foxes will at least relieve some pressure on them for Thursday’s game, as this is not opposition you want to face knowing you have to win.

Big games ahead.