A crucial game against top 4 rivals Leicester

Arsenal travel to the King Power Stadium for the lunchtime kickoff against fellow top 4 challengers Leicester City on Saturday.

After a shaky start to the season, the Foxes have recovered and found their goalscoring touch, netting 14 times in their last 5 games in all competitions, including 4 goals against Manchester United.

Summer signing Patson Daka has found form with 5 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 games as he has benefitted from Brendan Rodgers' switch to a 3-4-1-2. This has allowed James Maddison to create behind 2 strikers, whilst affording greater freedom to Youri Tielemans as well as Leicester's attacking wing backs.

But Rodger's is not the only manager who has been tweaking his tactics.

Mikel Arteta deployed a throwback 4-4-2 against Aston Villa on Friday which included Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up top, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe as inverted wingers floating around in the half spaces, and two dynamic midfielders in Albert Sambi Lokonga and Thomas Partey.

The system allowed Arsenal control in the wide areas, particularly on the left, with the marauding Nuno Tavares causing Aston Villa's 3-5-2 system persistent problems.

Control over the wide areas will be key once again for Arsenal this weekend.

The Foxes have had joy in recent matches, pressing high with their front 3 and winning the ball back in central areas.

Should Leicester set up in a 3-4-1-2 once again, their narrow attack will give Arsenal space on the flanks. If Leicester's wing backs sit off of Arsenal, then Takehiro Tomiyasu, and either Kieran Tierney or Nuno Tavares will be left free to receive the ball from the defence.

If Leicester's wing backs push forward to assist with the press, then Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe will have space in behind to receive the ball. Both scenarios rely on Arsenal's ball playing ability from the back.

The additions of Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale have helped with Arsenal's ball progression, and bypassing the Leicester press will be key.

The past 10 league encounters between the sides have seen 4 wins a piece and 2 draws. This is a game between two evenly matched teams with top 4 aspirations who are both picking up form. However, Leicester have an ace up their sleeve in Jamie Vardy, who has scored 11 times in 13 games against the Gunners - it will not be a surprise if he is on the scoresheet again on Saturday.

Prediction:

Leicester City 2 - 2 Arsenal

A rotated Arsenal side beat Leeds United 2-0 in the EFL Cup 4th round at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

Mikel Arteta named 9 changes from the side that beat Aston Villa, with only Emile Smith Rowe and Ben White retaining their places.

It was a typical cup game between two under strength sides, resulting in sloppy play and a disjointed 90 minutes.

10 minutes after half time, Ben White was forced off due to an illness, resulting in Calum Chambers replacing him. The Englishman sauntered into the box for a corner and headed the ball past Illan Meslier less than 30 seconds after entering the pitch.

The lead was doubled 15 minutes later as Eddie Nketiah latched onto a poor back pass, chipping the keeper and tapping the ball (unconvincingly) into the empty net to seal the win for Arsenal.

It sees the Gunners through to the Quarter-Finals alongside Brentford, Chelsea, Leicester, Liverpool, Sunderland, Tottenham and West Ham, with the draw being made on Saturday morning.

A blistering first half display saw Arsenal cruise to a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Emirates last Friday.

Mikel Arteta unleashed a surprise 4-4-2 following Alexandre Lacazette's impact off the bench against Crystal Palace, seeing Martin Ødegaard make way after his recent struggles. Nuno Tavares was a surprise inclusion with Kieran Tierney missing out due to a bruised ankle.

Arsenal came out the blocks flying, overwhelming Aston Villa in the wide areas and playing through them with ease.

Despite a plethora of chances, it took until the 23rd minute to make the breakthrough as Thomas Partey scored his long awaited first Arsenal goal, heading in from a corner.

With the last attack of the half, Matt Targett took down Alexandre Lacazette, giving away a penalty. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stepped up against former Arsenal keeper Emi Martinez and saw his penalty saved, but the Arsenal skipper was quickest to the rebound and tapped the ball in to give the Gunners a 2-0 lead.

10 minutes after the restart Arsenal made it 3 as Nuno Tavares fired a ball into Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who flicked it round the corner for Emile Smith Rowe. The Englishman drove into the box and struck a shot, deflecting off of Tyrone Mings beyond the helpless Emi Martinez in goal.

Villa did snatch a late consolation as Leon Bailey's dribble fell the way of Jacob Ramsey who curled the ball into the top corner giving Aaron Ramsdale no chance in goal.

It was a breathtaking display from the Gunners, with the most impressive facet of their play being their energy.

The attacking unit led a relentless, coherent press, suffocating Villa's play and forcing them into a half time substitution. The injection of Alexandre Lacazette's passion was invaluable, inspiring the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who also impressed.

That level of effort is the benchmark for Arsenal.

Even if the technical aspect of the game does not go the team's way, by giving 100% and closing the opposition down, Arsenal will force turnovers and create chances whilst simultaneously limiting their opponents.

It is also positive to see another weapon in Mikel Arteta's bag, giving him greater flexibility dependent on personnel and or opponent.

Adam Perry - 29/10/2021