[ad_1]
On a beautiful, soft and sunny day at King Power Stadium, it was Arsenal’s troubadours of the Europa League who seemed to have been touched by the breath of spring. Behind after six minutes, Arsenal dominated possession, scored three times before the hour mark and looked good value for a 3-1 win over an exhausted Leicester City side.
Much of the preparation for this game was focused on status. Are there any ‘big six’ in Stenosing football, and if so, how do you measure it? Finance? Waiting? Real league positions? At kick-off, Leicester were 12 points and six league places ahead of their visitors. Full time it was hard to avoid the feeling that Arsenal
a greater depth of team had won the day, that the quality of their substitutes, in particular Nicolas Pépé, was simply too much.
Mikel Arteta made six changes, with Cédric Soares and Pablo Marí coming in on defense, and Willian, Pépé and Alexandre Lacazette coming upstream. Bukayo Saka was definitely in need of a rest after recent efforts.
Grandpa seized his chance brilliantly, with such a convincing performance that 10 minutes after half-time he had already been involved in two Arsenal penalties (a VAR’d off), won the free kick which led to the Arsenal’s first goal and forced the replacement of young Leicester left-back Luke Thomas, who just couldn’t cope with Pepe’s move and direct run.
Leicester City went 4-4-2 for this game which may have been a response to the best staff available. Kelechi Iheanacho plays near Jamie Vardy in attack. Maybe the change in form was a nudge to pull Leicester’s main man a bit more. If so, it didn’t work. Vardy was a ghost for long periods of time. He’s 34 years old and has been playing more or less consistently for six years. He looked worried here.
Arsenal started off pretty well, guarding the ball well, until Leicester had their first attack of the game and scored a brilliant goal. It was coming from the right flank. Iheanacho held the ball back to goal. Youri Tielemans made a smart run in front of him, slid away from Kieran Tierney’s lunge and continued forward, reaching the right edge of the area unhindered by David Luiz and Marí, who seemed content to admire this beautiful figure. striding under the midday sun.
The shot on the run was low and perfectly placed in front of Bernd Leno’s right hand. There is something almost old-fashioned about a central midfielder that can go deep to score regularly. It helps when the opposition gives you the defensive equivalent of a welcome basket and a round of polite applause.
Arsenal have not been laudably deflated, helped – although the jury may be absent on this as well – by Arteta’s incessant barking, yapping and screaming from the sideline. He’s a coach who loves nothing better than “calling out” every game, popping up every moment as the chic-dressed daddy-coach of the conquering local U-11s.
His players responded, and six minutes later looked ready to equalize as Pepe was tripped up and swerved into the box. A penalty was awarded, but the VAR ruled it out. Wilfred Ndidi had made contact just outside the area.
Dominated Arsenal found inroads on the left thanks to Tierney’s willingness to rush outside. Willian switched flanks for a while and was involved in a move that spread the ball to Tierney in an open green space. His cross was scratched by Pepe.
Seven minutes before halftime, Pépé suffered a foul for the fourth time. Thomas was reserved. Willian whipped out a hard, flat free kick and David Luiz scored with a wonderful header, running past a static Leicester defense and craning his neck to peek into the corner.
Emile Smith Rowe is out, replaced by Martin
Ødegaard. And Arsenal had time to take the advantage on another penalty, this one awarded by VAR. Ndidi blocked a shot from Grandpa with his hands awkwardly raised. Fortunately, the screen check was short. Lacazette hit the ball in the corner. Arsenal deserved nothing less, having led the game almost on their own since Leicester’s goal.
Brendan Rodgers reacted at halftime, taking off Thomas and bringing in Mark Albrighton. Harvey Barnes left the field with what appeared to be a serious injury.
The Fiver: sign up and receive our daily football email
Arsenal took a 3-1 lead in the 52nd minute with a fine team goal which was scored by Pepe. This time he dribbled inside, passed to Willian on the left, saw the ball deflected into the six-yard penalty area as Willian dodged a failed joint challenge from Kasper Schmeichel and Timonthy Castagne, and was there to help. pat the ball.
Now deprived of two members of a weakened team, Leicester looked a bit lost. There has been something really impressive about Leicester’s ability to function in the absence of key players. Here they looked tired and a bit shoddy.
Leicester lobbied towards the end. But Europe’s midweek ejection appears to be a blessing for their Premier League hopes. Arsenal will be delighted with a great away victory.
[ad_2]
Source link