Okay here is the latest in our View From the Enemy series, and this review comes from the official Leicester City website. Mostly it’s just team news and facts but its interesting what manager Claudio Ranieri has to say….
FOXES CAMP
On a day that sees the Barclays Premier League’s top four sides go head-to-head, Leicester City face a trip to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium as they look to extend their five-point lead at the top of the table.
Manchester City host second placed Tottenham Hotspur later on Sunday afternoon, meaning a victory for the Foxes could, at least temporarily, send them eight points clear.
City beat Man City 3-1 at Etihad Stadium last time out and are now unbeaten in the Premier League in 2016 – including consecutive victories over Stoke City, Liverpool and Man City – all of which have seen them score three times.
Matty James remains out as he recovers from a knee injury while Jeffrey Schlupp (hamstring) may still be a couple of weeks from a return. Daniel Amartey could be in contention for a debut after completing 90 minutes for the Development Squad but there are no other injury concerns for Claudio Ranieri.
OPPOSITION CAMP
After returning to winning ways with a first victory in five Premier League games on Saturday, Arsenal embark upon the first of three straight home games on Sunday afternoon.
Last time out it was quickfire goals from Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that handed Arsene Wenger’s side a 2-0 victory at AFC Bournemouth – a result that leaves them third in the table.
And with a trip to Manchester United next up in the league for Arsenal (after cup games against Hull City and Barcelona), the hosts will be going all out to secure all three points, just as they did when the sides last met at King Power Stadium last year, with Arsenal running out 5-2 winners.
The Gunners are likely to be without the services of midfielder Tomas Rosicky (thigh), as well as the duo of Santi Cazorla (knee) and Jack Wilshere (calf).
WE SAID
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri spoke of a calmness in his team after a 3-1 win over Man City. He said: “Last season was a big pressure for them. Now they have to smell what the pressure was like last season and stay calm.
“For us it’s important to be concentrated with our feet on the ground. For the first time for a lot of them, they are doing something special. Don’t look behind you. It’s like a climber, it’s important to keep looking up.
“For Leicester, the pressure was at the beginning when we started, because our goal was to stay in the Premier League.
“Now the pressure is on the teams that have spent a lot of money to win the league, to win the Champions League. Now we are enjoying it.”
THEY SAID
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Arsenal.com after a 2-0 win away at Bournemouth: “We needed to win the game. I don’t want to be too dramatic making statements.
“A game away from home in the Premier League is difficult to win for everybody. We needed to win and we won. In the last three away games we played against Liverpool who equalised in the last minute and we played at Stoke which was 0-0.
“We came here today and won so I believe that we have shown good performances. We played with 10 men against Chelsea. We created many chances against Southampton.
“In one week Leicester have beaten Liverpool and Manchester City. That means that they suddenly become the favourite to win the Premier League. That makes our game on Sunday a big one.”
STAT ATTACK
Head-To-Head
Arsenal wins: 62
Draws: 44
City wins: 28
Last Three Meetings
Leicester City 2-5 Arsenal
Premier League
Saturday 26 September, 2015
Goals: Vardy 13, 89; Walcott 18, Sanchez 33, 57, 81, Giroud 90
Arsenal 2-1 Leicester City
Premier League
Tuesday 10 February, 2015
Goals: Koscielny 27, Walcott 41; Kramaric 61
Leicester City 1-1 Arsenal
Premier League
Saturday 31 August, 2014
Goals: Ulloa 22; Sanchez 20
Well, they don’t sound terribly worried do they??
Key decisions for Sunday!
?????
Sanchez Ozil ?????
Ramsey ?????
Monreal Koscielny ????? Bellerin
Cech
Our top goal scorer you have a question mark going into an important game?
“Our top goal scorer you have a question mark going into an important game?”
Yes.
Our most impressive results of the season had Walcott – and NOT Giroud – leading the line. Wenger must seriously consider restoring Walcott back to CF. Giroud plays better coming off the bench anyway.
Sorry but Walcott won’t knock a ball down to Ozil for an easy point blank shot. Not only last game but the 0-0 draw previous where Ozil didn’t get all of it and the keeper came up with a huge save.
You can question whether you want a target man up front or a speed player. Much more to OG’s game in my opinion that benefit’s our side. Since last year I have always thought that 17,12 and 14 should be our front. Hopefully it will come about this week and the rest of the season.
We can argue all day about the merits of either player. Would Arsenal have hurt United and Leicester so badly if it was Giroud in attack?
How many goal have Walcott scored this season by the way???
Easy to choose:
OG
AS MO JC
AR FC
NM LK PM HB
PC
Why should they be (terribly worried)? They are riding on a high right now, and belief is skyhigh in their camp.
I have a really quiet confidence on the gunners nicking this one.
Having said that, I’d love to see a double pivot of El Neny and Coquelin. With A. Ramsey shifting up front to the right.
That way our full backs will get a lot of support, and the midfield is going to be very solid, allowing Ozil to concentrate on playmaking.
With this formation/line up, we can also press from front with the trio of Alexis, Giroud and Rambo (like the Man Utd game).
I hope the boss employs the right tactics though. COYG
I watched the City Leicester game…Leicester were good no doubt, but City’s defense was just horrible – No backtracking at all. I mean the second goal of Leicesters began with 5 City players in defense and only two Leicester attackers up front, the third Leicester player with the ball passing it up field. By the time time Leicester scored, there were only 2 City defenders in front of goal and 3…yes 3 Leicester players to make sure it went in.
Arsenal’s defense will determine the result of this weekend’s clash. We are going to have to work extra hard at the back.
Ranieri has never beaten Wenger before. Hope that record continues but instead of a draw’, let’s Win…
Arsenal All The Way…
N/B: Ranieri has never beaten Wenger in the league*
To a man we have a better squad but the problem is they are on a high and brimming with confidence plus the fact they are punching well above their weight and defying expectations makes them more relaxed and not under pressure, knowing fully well they can even afford to lose and still be in contention for the title…on the other hand we are under immense pressure to deliver the 3 points at stake, knowing fully well anything less the full points spells the end of out title chase for yet another season…more than just the 3 points at stake the winner would have sent a message to the chasing pack that they are ready and up for the fight…..i strongly believe we can win it, though caution and common sense is telling me to prepare for the worst…and to be frank with this AFC squad you never know what expect but if they choke under pressure like they are wont to do in the last couple of years then we should get Coca Cola to be our sponsor, cos we will be known as bottlers