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In Saturday’s evening kick-off, a rampant Leicester City welcomed an Arsenal side void of confidence to the King Power stadium. In perhaps the first of its kind, the Foxes entered this game as the favourites. Brendan Rodgers’ side sat comfortably in fourth place, six points ahead of their opponents before proceedings.
The game started off in quiet fashion even entering the half time break as a deadlock. It was only in the 68th minute that someone finally put the ball in the net, and that man, of course, was Jamie Vardy. Leicester City quickly doubled their lead seven minutes later through a drilled James Maddison strike. The Foxes would go onto create a host of more chances but ultimately settled for a comfortable 2-0 victory. The win sends them into second place, with Manchester City travelling to Anfield tomorrow.
Here are five talking points from Leicester City’s 2-0 win over Arsenal.
#5 Five at the back for the Gunners
With his job on the line and pressure mounting, Unai Emery made drastic changes to his tactics seen this season. For the first time this season, the Spaniard deployed a back five for the trip to Leicester. Both Héctor Bellerín and Rob Holding made their first starts of the season to complete the defensive transformation. Bellerín and Sead Kolašinac were stationed as wingbacks while Luiz, Holding & Chambers made up the central three.
Clearly, Emery deployed this tactic to deprive a free-flowing Leicester of space in behind. Instead of pressing the Foxes and trying to dominate possession, Arsenal sat back, inviting Leicester to try and break them down. The Foxes are at their best when counter-attacking with Jamie Vardy running in behind, a back five nullified that threat. We may see this line-up from Emery in many more games to come, especially away from home.
#4 Héctor Bellerín returns
It’s been a long tough road for Héctor Bellerín. The Spaniard hasn’t started a Premier League game since January and today he completed an amazing comeback. In his absence, the Gunners have had to cope with the likes of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Carl Jenkinson, Stephan Lichtsteiner and most recently, Calum Chambers. None have been able to fill his void. The Spaniard offers so much at both ends of the pitch.
Against Leicester, it was clear to see why Arsenal had missed the Spaniard so much. In attack, he constantly bombed down the right flank pushing back the normally gung-ho Ben Chilwell. He was an integral part in most of Arsenal’s attacks, offering himself as an outlet in possession. In a competent away performance, the 24-year-old completed 37 passes, created one chance and completed 100% of the tackles he attempted.
#3 James Maddison is the talisman
This season has seen the stock of James Maddison rise exponentially. The young Englishman has, alongside Jamie Vardy, made Leicester the most feared counter-attacking team in the league. Maddison’s eye for a pass and quality of execution have been second to none this season. That’s why the 22-year-old has scored four goals and provided two assists in 11 league appearances.
Despite having to defend for large parts in the game, Maddison was switched on in attack, regularly helping the Foxes get up the pitch in one or two passes. The 22-year-old constantly snuck in behind the vacant Arsenal pivot, thus giving him free roam to play in Jamie Vardy.
In a man of the match performance, Maddison attempted four shots on goal, completed 57 passes, won three tackles, completed one take-on, created three chances and scored one game-deciding goal.
#2 Is it finally #EmeryOut?
Taking over from a legend in Arsène Wenger was never going to be easy. Arsenal football club has been moulded and shaped in the form of the Frenchman’s ideals, so the job of the next man to come in was always going to be difficult.
However, Wenger’s last two seasons at the club were his worst and all the next manager had to do was steady the ship and better those atrocious two years. Instead, Unai Emery has made Arsenal worse in every single department. In his first 50 Premier League games as Arsenal manager, Emery has won 25 games, two less than Wenger did in his last 50.
Every single game, Arsenal fans are left questioning many of the manager’s decisions. He was introduced to the Arsenal faithful as a man with a focus on attacking football. Instead, his pragmatic and cowardly colours have shone through. And despite his small club mentality tactics being on show, Emery hasn’t managed to improve Arsenal’s defence, as the Gunners currently sit with a -1-goal difference.
#1 Jamie Vardy…again!
The sky is blue, water is wet, and Jamie Vardy scores. There isn’t a more in-form striker in the league than the 32-year-old. This season, he’s attempted 24 shots on goal and scored 11, making him the top scorer in the division. Brendan Rodgers’ men knew that all it would take is one chance for Englishman to take the lead.
The 32-year-old’s overall play is an inspiration to his teammates. He leads by example, not only through his strike rate but with his work rate and dedication off the ball. He scored the crucial opener but also had the composure to set up James Maddison for the game-ending second goal. In another heroic performance, Vardy attempted two shots on goal, won one aerial duel, created two chances, scored one goal and assisted another. Is there anything this man can’t do?
