Match Preview: Leicester City v Arsenal; Time for Some Urgency by the Gunners

There is nothing like a win against a heated rival to make you feel at least a little better. Right? Okay, maybe not. What would soothe the savage beast in all Arsenal supporters is to see the team deliver on its promise that had us all eagerly awaiting for this season to start.

If we’re honest, this team is nowhere near performing at it’s optimal best. It’s equally frustrating as, there are no real excuses. Yes, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky are long-term injuries but we are riddled with last year’s buzzword – “soft-tissue” injuries like we were to start last campaign.

Of course, Alexis Sanchez hasn’t been firing and fatigue from his participation in this past summer’s Copa d’ America tournament is obviously having an effect. None of that however explains lackluster performances from the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Olivier Giroud.

Again an honest assessment of the team shows that really attacking-wise only Mesut Özil is delivering with 23 chances created but only 2 of them converted for goals (as assists.)

The good news is that it’s hardly mattered because the league itself seems substandard. The big names aren’t exactly running away with it – City only 5 points away from Arsenal and the middle-tier teams doing their best imitation of Champion’s League qualifiers. In the end, it just means if Arsenal can get going and gain some momentum they’ll likely be in the title hunt (as we’ve said all along.)

It’s not going to be any easier for them tomorrow as they head to the only team still unbeaten in the Premier League – Leicester City. When they announced the signing of former Chelsea manager, Claudio Ranieri as their choice to lead them this season, many projected them to struggle to make an impact on the league. Well, 6 matches in and they are this year’s early season darlings.

Leicester has been dangerous in the attack and it’s no coincidence that one of the names we were linked to this summer is Riyad Mahrez. Currently the league’s leading scorer, he is able to use guile and speed to attack opposition defenders.

As much as Ranieri would like his side to pass and move technicians, the Leicester City boss concedes he doesn’t have the technical ability in his players to do so. Which means his team has relied heavily on long-ball tactics on the counter to stun teams in the second half as they mount comeback after comeback.

If there is a weakness in this squad it’s the back 4. For a team boasting of being undefeated, they are letting in a lot of goals. AS Michael Cox points out on the dot com site today, this would be a back line Theo Walcott would love to exploit.

But in order for that to happen, Arsenal need to find their flow. In reviewing the last few matches, Arsenal’s ability to possess and move with the ball has been hampered by uncharacteristically poor passing.

In the loss to Chelsea, it was clear that Wenger had opted for similar tactics that netted a positive result at the Etihad last season. Arsenal were set up to absorb Chelsea’s attack and either look for Theo over the top or transition to a quick counter using Cazorla’s swift feet to begin the transition out. Problem was that a lot of the second passes or even some of the first were poor and it let Chelsea regain possession.

It’s been a recurring theme this season with the only time it looks good is when a team is packed into their own end allowing Arsenal to move the ball side to side looking to exploit spaces.

Which brings up the next point – Arsenal in addition to improving the quality of their passing need to up the tempo and begin to stretch out their opponents, specifically going side to side.

Arsenal are terribly predictable in their patience. They will look for gaps, by slowing the game down and passing the ball side to side in hopes that something opens up. Except that it allows the opposition to close off passing lanes and frustrate the living hell out of the players (and supporters)

Personally, I’m okay with the passing to open spaces but it needs to be with intent and purpose – i.e. don’t let the opposition get set. Look for those gaps early and move the ball quickly. If by chance they do get back, use quick movement of the ball to create an unbalanced defense through switches and smart runs.  Ideally you want a compact team to get deeper to the point where most of them are on or within the 18. Then you can look to take finesse shots into corners or drive one in that is either rebound off of another player or other players have forced the keeper to lose site of the ball.

Whatever, the tactic, Arsenal need vast improvements in their attacking abilities. For a team that was loaded with them coming into the season, it’s about time they got started delivering.

Players to Watch:
Arsenal. Alexis Sanchez. He is due. Simple. As. That.

Leicester City. Riyad Mahrez. Leagues leading scorer right now. Can give a defense fits.

Probable Lineups:

Click to enlarge

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Coquelin (knee), Wilshere (fractured leg), Welbeck (knee), Rosicky (knee) Gabriel (suspended – 1/1)

Leicester City: Dyer (knee), James (knee)

Match Officials:
Referee: Craig Pawson (5M, 20Y, 0R)
Assistant Referees:  M Salisbury, G Beswick
Fourth Official: R Madley

Broadcast Information:
UK: BBCMOTD 1 – Highlights only
US:  USA Network – 10:00AM EST

YAMA Prediction:
Hoping that the loss to Chelsea serves as an eye opener to a team that has the talent to compete for honors this season.
Leicester City 1 – 2 Arsenal

Match Facts: (Courtesy FourFourTwo via Opta)

• Riyad Mahrez has had a hand in eight goals (five goals, three assists) in the Premier League this season; more than any other player.
• Only once in the 18 Premier League meetings have Arsenal failed to score against Leicester.
• The Foxes haven’t beaten Arsenal since their debut season in the Premier League in 1994/95 (W1 D6 L11).
• Leicester have come from behind to salvage at least a point in four successive Premier League games – only one team has managed a longer run than this in PL history; Everton’s six game run between Sept-Nov 2012.
• Arsenal have converted just 6.1% of their shots in the Premier League this season; a lower ratio than any other team.
• Santi Cazorla has created the most goalscoring chances (23) and completed the most passes (471) in the Premier League this season.
• Jamie Vardy has scored in three successive Premier League games for the first time.
• The Foxes have won as many points in their last 15 Premier League games (34 – W10 D4 L1) as they had in their previous 48 matches in the competition before this run (34 – W6 D16 L26).
• Including blocked shots, Alexis Sanchez has had more attempts at goal than any other player in the Premier League this season (31) but is yet to score.
• This game pits the team with the highest proportion of long passes in 2015-16 – Leicester (21.3%) against the team with the lowest proportion – Arsenal (7.4%).