Leicester 0-0 Arsenal: 5 talking points

Ahmed musa Bellerin
Arsenal were one good decision away from two defeats on the trot

A meeting of last season’s top two teams served up a stalemate. Entertaining as usual, like last season’s fixtures, this time around the teams failed to find the net. With three yellows being shown and a lack of the final ball, both teams left a lot to be desired. Both the managers though would be pleased with the result, as it allows them to get off the mark in terms of points.

Here are the five biggest talking points from Saturday's late kick-off.

#1 Were Leicester denied by Mark Clattenburg?

The rub of the green very much was in the favour of the Foxes last season, be it in the form of injuries or cards. Here though at the King Power stadium, there were contentious calls which on another day could have been given as an easy penalty. At the end of both halves, there were challenges on Leicester players from the Arsenal defence which on another day could have easily yielded two penalties.

Instead, Clattenburg waved play on. While there were boos for the referee from the home support at the end of the game, there was no clear indication that the referee was appallingly wrong about his decisions. Leicester instead should have made the most of those chances when they did manage to break into the penalty area of the Arsenal half.

#2 Arsenal’s slow start will only lead to more questions

Alexis Sanchez
Arsenal were unimaginative in the final third

Much was made about Arsenal’s defeat to Liverpool at the Emirates last weekend. So coming into the game against the champions, which had yielded a tally of 10 goals over two fixtures, one would have expected at least a couple of goals. The clean sheet that the game may have overshadowed the defensive fragilities that still exist but the display on the attacking front was again indecisive, to say the least.

The absence of an out and out striker again left the midfield making wide passes and Arsene would do well to address this problem at the earliest. Late on in the game, when Walcott had a flurry of chances which were all squandered, it only seemed to enhance the feeling.

It is more the lack of mental strength that currently ails the squad, rather than the technicalities. Arsene Wenger, who has the most control as a manager may realise that patience can only last a limited amount of time.

#3 Riyad Mahrez was back to his old self

Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez was in fine form

Now that the speculation has been settled over Mahrez, it seemed the Algerian was back to his trickery self. Here, he chose an opportune moment to show what he could have added to the Arsenal ranks. If this was an audition for the Gunners, then he passed it with aplomb.

Coming in from the right flank, time and again he made a mug of Monreal, who was most of the time left chasing his tail lights as Mahrez would jink his way through. Involved in both the plays leading up the penalty shouts, Mahrez also showed a certain resilience to stay on his feet rather than going down.

#4 Koscielny's return gives defensive discipline

Koscielny
Koscielny’s arrival at the back seemed to have calmed the backline

Whether last weekend’s 4-3 rout could have been avoided if Laurent Koscielny had played is now a moot question. Here, though, he was an inspiration, guiding the young Rob Holding and showing the composure to snuff out the challenge of Vardy.

Koscielny could have easily been held accountable for the penalty when Drinkwater, went down under his challenge at the end of the first half. But thankfully for him and the rest of the Arsenal fans, Clattenburg waved play on and the moment was gone.

Much was made about his absence last weekend, as Arsenal’s defence laboured last Sunday, but an extended holiday does seem to be the right way forward given the injury picked up by Ramsey last summer. While Arsene, may have midfield reinforcements, it is necessary that he brings in defensive personnel who can assist the ever present Koscielny.

#5 Defeat avoided, but point gained

Arsenal leicester
The top two sides of last season are yet to record a victory

Both teams lost their opening fixture last weekend. The champions losing to Hull City while Arsenal lost to Liverpool. Given their losses, one should have expected a cagey affair and in the end, it showed, with both teams jittery in the opening stages.

At some point in the game, it seemed both teams were looking to avoid defeat rather than go for the win. Both the teams though chose to stick to the template which served them so well for the majority of the last season. Leicester with their counter attacking style while Arsenal with their pass & move.

In the end, both managers must have heaved a sigh of relief as a defeat here could have damaged both teams and the pressure that comes along with playing in the Premier League. An entertaining stalemate, though, but nevertheless a stalemate.

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Edited by Staff Editor