Arsenal must use pace to unseat the champions

Match Preview: Leicester vs Arsenal - Premier League - 20.08.2016

Kick-start – To provide an impetus to start or resume (a process) this, for me, is the perfect introduction to what is required from The Arsenal this weekend as they head in to a tough looking away clash with last season’s champions Leicester City, at the King Power Stadium.

As I begin my first match preview for Goonersphere I should introduce myself, my name is Kris Carpenter, 33 years old, Arsenal fan since the age of 9, though in truth I can’t ever recall a time I wasn’t supporting the boys in the famous red & white. Having been involved in podcasting and discussing the club for a few years now I can sadly confirm the first game of the season has left me feeling somewhat flat and with a sense of “Oh goodness not again”. Last weekend’s 4-3 defeat to Liverpool was a tough watch, but an away game against Ranieri’s charges might just be sort of game needed.

Last season saw the fixture end 2-5 in favour of Wenger’s men, with Alexis bagging a hat-trick on a bright September afternoon, bouncing back from a 0-2 defeat at Chelsea the previous week, that sort of fight is what is required again this weekend.

A somewhat surprising opening day defeat at Hull City has left Leicester in the media spotlight, will they fall away, can they match last season’s achievements, is normality returning etc…. well forgive my bluntness but I don’t care, as an Arsenal fan I look at this as the sort of game we have to lay down a marker in.

The likely return of Lauren Koscielny will help in our quest for 3 points, there is even some talk about mesas Özil & Giroud making the bench, if that is the case that’s a further boost. So what is the plan of attack? For me, it has to be pace, speed and directness, with the likelihood of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain starting in the wide roles with Alexis Sanchez again up top. We simply have to attack this now fragile Leicester mind set.

As good as the likes of Wes Morgan, Christian Fuchs and Robert Huth are none are blessed with pace, getting them on the half turn and putting slide rule passes in behind at an angle could yield some joy. I would also look to bring in Santi Cazorla to the number 10 position with this idea in mind. The midfield two is a tough decision for the Manager, record signing Granit Xhaka will be chomping at the bit to play, but in truth based on what I saw last weekend this game may come a bit early in my opinion, so I would be inclined to keep the supremely talented Elneny and the combative Francis Coquelin in place. The defence surely picks itself, with only the decision on who of Chambers or Holding join Koscielny, if he is picked, to start the game. My personal choice would be Holding.

Of course the seemingly inevitable Jamie Vardy goal will occur, but I believe we have more than enough to win this game and win it well, possibly by outscoring the opposition! Keeping Riyad Mahrez quiet is important, but a word for Demarai Gray, has massively impressed me in pre-season, keeping him at arm’s length is key.

So, over to you Arsenal, a fast start with a goal in the opening stages would be a perfect platform on which to build, my personal feelings are that we will have too much for Leicester on the day, let’s hope I’m right! COYG!

Last 3 Meetings

• Arsenal 2-1 Leicester (14.02.2016)
• Leicester 2-5 Arsenal (26.09.2015)
• Arsenal 2-1 Leicester (10.02.2015)

FACTFILE

• Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 19 games vs Leicester
• The Gunners have notched a total of 196 goals against The Foxes in 96 games played
• With Lauren Koscielny in the XI Arsenal’s win percentage is over 70%

INJURIES

Ramsey, Iwobi, Mertesacker, Gabriel & Jenkinson ruled out. Wilshere, Özil & Giroud doubtful.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI

Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Chambers, Monreal, Elneny, Coquelin, Walcott, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis.

Pace will be key so this game should play to Walcott's strengths.

GOONERSPHERE'S PREDICTION

Leicester City 2-3 Arsenal

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Last 3 Meetings

• Arsenal 2-1 Leicester (14.02.2016)
• Leicester 2-5 Arsenal (26.09.2015)
• Arsenal 2-1 Leicester (10.02.2015)