With both teams losing their respective games at the weekend, there was always going to be a little extra pressure on Arsenal and Leicester City as they prepare for the Premier League clash at the Emirates stadium tomorrow evening.
But the bizarre saga of the Foxes boss Nigel Pearson has put another little slant on the occasion. We were hearing yesterday that the 51-year old had been sacked by his east midlands club before they issued a statement this morning that this was not the case and Pearson took training as normal and then tried to brush off the questions in his pre-match press conference.
It is hardly ideal preparation for the club propping up the table and hoping to do what only a very lucky Man United have managed all season, beating Arsenal at home. They say there is no smoke without fire and although Pearson is still in charge, the Leicester players must wonder if he could soon be on the way out.
That could, of course, make them give an extra effort against the Gunners tomorrow but I doubt it. It was a strange old situation as Pearson seemed to lose the plot in grabbing and refusing to let go of James McArthur in their Saturday defeat. It was a bit embarrassing really, as was his post match interview when he claimed he could `look after myself`.
Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal players must be prepared for a tough game and not expect anything less from Leicester but I cannot see how this Pearson saga will do them any good. So let’s kick the man while he is down shall we?