Arsenal humbled Leicester City 5-2 at the King Power Stadium last September, it was seen by most as a reflection of the gulf between the two clubs. While Leicester, in fourth place going into the fixture, had made a strong start to the season, they would inevitably slide back to reality. Arsenal, having taken over fourth spot, was the ream with realistic title ambitions.
Sunday’s rematch at the Emirates Stadium is seen a title mix; Arsenal are right in the title chase in third place and up against a rejuvenated and informed Leicester City.
At the start of January, Arsenal sat atop the Premier League after recording a 1-0 win over Newcastle United. A run of four without a victory led to the club’s supporters fearing a collapse, but Wenger’s side got their title challenge back on track with a comfortable 2-0 win at Bournemouth last weekend.
Arsenal’s record from 25 league games this season reads: 14 wins, six draws and five lost. They are actually the lowest scorers in the top four (39), but have only conceded 22 times, which is the joint-second best defensive record in the league alongside Manchester United. Their recent four-game winless run started with a 3-3 draw at Liverpool and ended with a 0-0 draw against Southampton, but the win over Bournemouth last weekend would have seen confidence rise.
There is little getting away from the fact that it is a massive February and start of March for the Gunners, who will travel to Manchester United in their next league match at the end of the month, before travelling to Spurs on March 5. Wenger’s side still have Everton to play at Goodison in March, making it a tough few weeks for the club.
There is also a Champions League last-16 two-legged affair against Barcelona to come, with the first leg match taking place at the Emirates on February 23. Sunday’s match against Leicester is not quite a must-win, but defeat could well see Arsenal drop down to fourth by the end of the weekend.
The Gunners have a strong record against Leicester, however, having won 12 and lost none of their last 18 Premier League games with the Foxes, including all eight home meetings. Earlier this season, they recorded an impressive 5-2 victory at the King Power, which was the first of Leicester’s two league defeats this term.
Leicester’s challenge for the Premier League title was expected to end a long time ago. But with 13 games of the season remaining, the Foxes sit five points clear at the top of the table.
When Claudio Ranieri was appointed head coach in the summer, many predicted that Leicester would face a battle against the drop. Even a push into the top six at this stage of the campaign would have been seen as a major surprise, but the Foxes are on the verge of completing what would be one of the most incredible stories of all time.
Leicester have only lost twice in the league this season, while they have found the back of the net on 47 occasions, which is the joint-highest total in the division alongside Man City.
Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has been immense between the sticks, while Wes Morgan, Robert Huth, Danny Drinkwater and N’Golo Kante have all been excellent at the back. It is difficult to say that Leicester would be where they are, however, without Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy. The latter has 18 Premier League goals to his name this season, while Mahrez has 14, in addition to 10 assists.
Their last league defeat came at Liverpool on Boxing Day, but they are currently on a seven-game unbeaten run in the top flight. Even more impressively, since losing to Liverpool, they have only conceded twice in the league. Even if the Foxes are beaten at Arsenal, they will still be toping the table.
The Gunners are one of just two sides to have beaten Leicester in the league this season and another victory at the Emirates would see Arsene Wenger’s side close the gap on the leaders to just two points.
Can Arsenal repeat the display and cut Leicester’s lead at the top in front of their own fans? However, Claudio Ranieri will surely be plotting another dazzling away win to keep his side on track for title glory.
Anthony Nlebem
