Leicester v Arsenal Preview

Alexis Sanchez celebrates his first Arsenal goal in a 1- 0 victory against Besiktas

Sanchez will lead the line for Arsenal against Leicester City in the last round of premier league fixtures before the international break.

Arsenal currently sit in 5th place after an opening day victory to Crystal Palace and a hard-fought draw against Everton.

The Gunners are expected to line up as follows: Szczesny, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Debuchy, Flamini, Wilshere, Ozil, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sanchez

Oxlade-Chamberlain should see another start after his impressive performance against Besiktas in the Champions League Qualifiers. Alex offers more natural width and a desire to look for the long ball down the line.

Debuchy and the Ox showed a strong understanding midweek and this is something I believe Wenger will look to develop.

I expect Wenger to stick with a similar formation and approach as we saw against Besiktas, where had it not been for some wasted chances we would've won the game far more comfortably.

Expect a high pressing game without the ball and plenty of width with it, with the focus of our attacks coming down the right flank, where the Ox and Sanchez like to position themselves before cutting in.

Looking at the side however what immediately springs to mind is lack of height. Set pieces and defending crosses in open play has been our weakness so far this season (think Hangelaand v Palace and Coleman v Everton).

Leicester aren't the biggest side themselves and under manager Nigel Pearson like to play the ball on the ground, which should suit Arsenal, however it is hugely important that our wide players track back to prevent the opposition from overloading our flanks.

For many Arsenal fans, thinking about Leicester evokes memories of the final match of the Invincibles '04 campaign where the Gunners came back from a goal down to seal their unbeaten season.

Leicester have won just one of 16 Premier League games against Arsenal (W1, D5, L10). Their sole victory was 2-1 at Filbert Street on 23 November 1994.

However the Foxes have begun the season well, earning a 2-2 draw against Everton on the opening day, before losing 2-0 against Chelsea, a respectable scoreline nonetheless against Mourinho's machine.

A bit of excitement on the transfer front for both sides as Leicester have signed former Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso on a one year deal. The 34 year old has joined the Foxes after being released by Inter over the summer,  but may be ineligible for today's match due to international clearance proceedings.

There has been a huge amount of twitter activity linking Arsenal with QPR's Loic Remy and Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho: I would love both to sign.

We need a striker who has proven experience in the premier league. Welbeck would've been a stronger signing as indeed would Edison Cavani but it would seem as though both strikers are destined elsewhere. 

As for Carvalho although he failed to impress in Rio, there is enough potential there for him to become a very useful player. He could be eased into the ranks this season and given full license next year having learnt under two of the best in Arteta and Flamini.

Everton v Arsenal Match Review

Two goals in the final ten minutes saw Arsenal enjoy a thrilling comeback against Everton at Goodison Park yesterday to keep their unbeaten record in the league intact.

The Gunners managed to recover from an abysmal start to the game where they were outplayed for most of the first half.

Arsenal lined up as follows: Szczesny, Mertesacker, Chambers, Debuchy, Monreal, Ramsey, Wilshere, Oxlade-chamberlain, Flamini, Özil, Sanchez


Surprise inclusions for Chambers and Oxlade-Chamberlain were surely huge votes of confidence in Arsenal's young English talent. Many expected the centre-back pairing of Koscielny and Mertesacker after its effectiveness last season.


Cazorla and Giroud's demotion to the bench came as something of a shock, particularly considering the pair's fine scoring form of late and wealth of experience against top sides compared to Chambers and the Ox.


The first Everton goal came as the result of slack defending at the far post as Ozil, in his first appearance since returning from a summer break, allowed the Everton fullback to nip in front and get to the well-placed cross first.

Everton should have had a second soon after when striker Mirallas was through on goal, but under pressure from an onrushing Szczesny he screwed the effort wide. A let off for Wenger's men.

The second goal came somewhat fortuitously for the Toffees just before the stroke of halftime. Lukaku appeared to have pushed Mertesacker from behind to gain possession before playing in Naismith who was about half a yard offside. Nonetheless Naismith controlled well and tucked the ball between the legs of our Pole in the Goal.

At 2-0 Naismith's effort looked as though it would be the crippling blow in yet another defeat to a top 6 side, the classic failings of this team looked to have followed them into the 2014/15 campaign.

However yet again this season, Wenger was quick and decisive in changing his side around. At halftime he brought off Alexis Sanchez in order to rest the Chilean who is clearly taking some time to accustom to the league's relentless pace. In his place he brought on Giroud who has been so effective in the number 9 role.

The second half began far more promisingly as Arsenal dominated possession 60% to 40% peppering the Everton goal (we had 13 shots in total). The old adage goes that a 2-0 lead is often the hardest to defend tactically and from the 45th minute Everton looked to sit deep and defend. This allowed Arsenal to gain in confidence and eventually it paid off.

Cazorla and Campbell were both introduced on the 75th minute and suddenly the missing pieces of the jigsaw slotted into place. Campbell brought pace and sharp movement, whilst Cazorla is peerless in looking after the ball in the opposition's final third.

Ramsey, Cazorla and Ozil began linking up well, evidently picking up where they left off and this drew Everton even more central freeing up space for Arsenal's wide players.

The Welsh Jesus finally got the scoring underway in the 83rd minute and suddenly Everton began to look panicked. A great development in this Arsenal side and what I believe is a direct result of their FA Cup final comeback is a real resolve to keep fighting until the final minute.

Our reward came in the 89th minute when Monreal caught up with an overhit cross before sending in a beautifully weighted effort of his own that found the newly highlighted hair of Olivier Giroud who did superbly well to hold off Distin and send the ball whizzing into the net.

In his post match interview Arsene Wenger said: "We had a mountain to climb but we did it well. We came back with togetherness, with calmness and we didn't panic. we came back late but it is a strong point for us."

5 More Things We've Learnt So Far

1. Sanchez still needs plenty of time to adjust

Some players just land with their feet running. Look at Torres for Liverpool, Ba for Newcastle, Tevez for West Ham. I don't think Sanchez is one of those players but strongly believe that when he adjusts to the league's brutal pace and improves his fitness he'll be devastating to the opposition.

2. Trophy success last season has already had an effect on the mentality of the players

The boys in red are winners, with two trophies in quick succession they now know how to get over the line. The way Arsenal fought back from a 2-0 deficit in the FA Cup final showed amazing resolve and I believe this same attitude is already carrying through to their league performances after Ramsey's last minute winner against Palace and the amazing comeback against Everton.

3. Carl Jenkinson looks likely to have another frustrating season on the periphery of the club

Poor Carl. A gunner through and through it looks as though this could be another season without the breakthrough he sorely craves. Loaned out to the Hammers, Carl suffered an injury setback meaning that he will struggle to get much playing time and make the improvements Wenger was looking to see. Debuchy's outstanding performances so far, combined with the promise of Chambers and Bellerin could spell the end of Jenkisnon's time at his boyhood club.

4. Jack Wilshere is in for another tough season from the press

The latest golden child of the England national team, Jack has always been billed as the next Gazza, Wazza, and every other 'azza' going. His bad luck with injury has kept Jack from fulfilling his potential and the media has jumped on every chance to picture the young man out with a cigarette or drinking a beer. If he doesn't put in some dazzling performances this season expect greater emphasis to be placed on his personal life.

5. Giroud has to start. 

Two games now Arsenal have struggled without the talismanic Frenchman leading the line. Not only does he bring goals but he also creates space for others to run in behind as he occupies two defenders at a time. It also looks as though he's added some more technique and close control to his game and after 2 seasons in the premier league this could be season where he shines.

Thanks to Giacomo Detomaso for help with this one! Italian Gunners and fans of Serie A, NBA & NFL follow Giacomo's brilliant blog

ildetonatore.wordpress.com

Twitter: @gdetomaso

Everton v Arsenal Preview

Arsenal take on Everton at Goodison Park this afternoon at 5.30 in the second weekend of Premier League fixtures.

Last season the two sides were embroiled in an intriguing race for fourth place which ultimately saw Arsenal take the final Champions League spot.

Everton had a fantastic season by all accounts and worryingly put in an outstanding performance against the Gunners in this same fixture last year cruising to a 3-0 victory.

However at the Emirates Arsenal were unlucky not to win 1-0 and would have done so were it not for a late equaliser from Barcelona loanee Gerard Deulofeu who produced a sublime finish from 10 yards.

The two sides also faced each in the FA Cup quarter final. The match was played at the Emirates and Arsenal won comfortably by a margin of 4-1. The first half was relatively cagey however once Arsenal scored their second the floodgates opened and the match ended in emphatic style with a brace of goals from Olivier Giroud.

The Arsenal team for today is likely to be as follows:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Debuchy, Arteta, Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez, Wilshere and Giroud

Arsenal's performance last week against Crystal Palace will give the Gunners plenty of confidence as they were able to win ugly. Their slick passing game was by no means at its best, however second half substitutions to bring on Oxlade-Chamberlain and Giroud proved crucial in keeping the pressure on Palace allowing Ramsey to score a late winner.

Although Aaron Ramsey is ineligible for Arsenals Champions League second round tie with Besiktas he is expected to start today and Arsenal will need the Welsh Jesus firing on all cylinders to beat a strong Toffees side.

Everton had a less inspiring start to their 2014/15 Premier League campaign, drawing 2-2 against Leicester. The Toffees lead for most of the second half until an 86th minute equaliser from Leicester's Chris Wood.

Everton twice held the lead but were unable to see the game out against a plucky Leicester side which bodes well for an Arsenal who have plenty of attacking options.

The Gunner's prospects will also be boosted by the return of their German World Cup winners per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukasz Podolski who could all feature in today's match.

5 Things We've Learnt So Far

The premier league season is up and running. Arsenal have played one, won one after a hard-fought match against an organised Crystal Palace side.

Arsenal have also played in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Besiktas, drawing the game 0 - 0 in less than favourable conditions.

The Lovely Reds along with Italian journalist Giacomo Detomaso take a look at what we can learn from these early matches..

1. Maybe letting Fabregas go to Chelsea wasn't such a smart idea after all

With Ramsey out of the second qualifying leg and Ozil still not match sharp after a lengthy world Cup campaign, Fabregas would have been the perfect man to come in and lead our midfield.

As it stands he now looks like a member of a drug cartel playing under the tutelage of a man who bayed for his blood whilst at Arsenal.

2. Who needs Bacary Sagna when you've got Debuchy making the right back position his own

Many Gunners were sad to see Sagna go after many standout performances but Debuchy has come in and taken to Wenger's system like a duck to water. He looks calm, composed and potent going forward, everything Sagna had but younger, and with a much better haircut.

3. Calum Chambers has all the potential to be a future Arsenal and England stalwart

At £16m Chambers looks already to be one of the signings of the season. His performances belie his age and he has already worked out a good relationship with Koscielny. His ability to play right-back and his height (6ft 2) mean he could be a potential option at CDM if required. A modern versatile player.

4. Ramsey has picked up where he left off last season but he can't do it all on his own

The Welsh Jesus has scored in his last three competitive games in England (FA Cup final, Community Shield and Crystal Palace) bringing that electric form with him into the 2014/15 season. However he looks as though he desperately needs someone on his level alongside, hopefully the return of Ozil will bring just that.

5.  Sanchez still needs plenty of time to adjust

Some players just land with their feet running. Look at Torres for Liverpool, Ba for Newcastle, Tevez for West Ham. I don't think Sanchez is one of those players but strongly believe that when he adjusts to the league's brutal pace and improves his fitness he'll be devastating to the opposition.

Thanks to Giacomo Detomaso for help with this one! Italian Gunners and fans of Serie A, NBA & NFL follow Giacomo's brilliant blog

ildetonatore.wordpress.com

Twitter: @gdetomaso

Praise be to the Welsh Jesus

Aaron Ramsey's injury time winner helped Arsenal take 3 points from their premier league opener against a resolute and organised Crystal Palace side.

It was a match fought between two of the most sharply dressed sides in the league and I have to admit I'm feeling Palace's away kit this season.

Ramsey is fast securing his place as one of Arsenal's modern heroes after his incredible performances last season propelled the Gunners to the top of the league, whilst his extra time winner against Hull secured Arsenal their first silverware for 9 years.

He seems to have picked up where he left off, making incisive and well-timed runs into the box. He has the ability of former greats like Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg of being in the right place at the right time and his goals are sorely needed if we are to succeed in this campaign.

Rambo's winner helped alleviate the worries after a somewhat nervy opening performance from Wenger's men. The old adage that preseason doesn't count for much was proved partly true yesterday.

Arsenal, with an impressive preseason behind them, including a 5-1 thrashing of Benfica and a 3-0 victory against Manchester City to take the Community Shield, struggled for large parts of their match against Palace.

The space and time on the ball afforded to the Gunners at Wembley is now a thing of memory and the boys in red had a rude awakening when their passing game could not find results in the Palace final third.

The Arsenal squad lined up as expected. A defence of Szczesny, Gibbs, Koscielny, Chambers and Debuchy. A midfield of Cazorla, Ramsey, Arteta, Sanchez, Wilshere and a strike force consisting of Yaya Sanogo charged with leading the line on his own.

Looking at the squad the only real surprise was that Sanogo started up front. Wenger has used the young Frenchman to start throughout preseason, bringing on the experienced and proven Olivier Giroud for the second half or even the final 30 minutes.

At first this seemed as though it was a way to give Giroud more time to get match ready whilst affording Sanogo chances to prove to Arsenal fans what Wenger seems to already know, that Yaya has the potential to be a very effective striker.

However many fans, including myself, expected Giroud to start. Perhaps he is not quite fit, but judging by this screamer against City and the impact he made after coming on against Palace, he simply has to start from now on.

A debut performance in the premier league for Alexis Sanchez saw the Chilean struggle somewhat with the league's physicality and pace. I strongly believe that Sanchez will prove to be a hugely influential player for us this season and am over the moon that he is at the club, however he still has some work to do to acclimatise to a league that is consistenly faster and tougher than La Liga.

To the match. Arsenal had plenty of early possession, passing the ball around crisply but struggling to penetrate a Palace side that from the off had 10 or 11 men behind their own halfway line. Arsenal players and fans alike have come to expect this sort of performance from away sides and this won't be the last time we are frustrated for large periods of the game by sides that play for a draw and attempt to steal victory via set pieces.

After some early pressure from the Gunners, bouyed by the home support who were in rapturous voice, the game settled into a slow and uninspring rythym. Arsenal had the majority of the ball but lacked movement and accuracy with their passing where it really matters, playing down the middle in a congested area just before the Palace box.

With the knowledge that Palace were to come to the Emirates with a defensive, deep-lying game plan it seemed counter-productive to play into their hands by going down the middle and we struggled to invent anything.

Arsenal nerves were tested when, on 35 minutes, Brede Hangeland, on his debut for Palace found himself untested from a corner. His well-placed header sailed past Szczesny into the Arsenal net and suddenly that inability to break the visitors down in open play looked telling.

The Norwegian's aerial ability proved too great for Koscielny and Chambers, however you have to think that with Per Mertesacker in the side, Hangeland's attempt wouldn't have been as easy.

Like last season's FA Cup final, the Arsenal showed their ability to fight back and Koscielny's headed goal on the stroke of halftime allowed the reds to go into the tunnel level.

In this instance, Palace's goal hero Hangeland turned villain as he was caught napping to allow the Frenchman to sneak in behind and put a superbly placed header past Speroni.

Koscielny is beginning to make a name for himself as a goal-scoring centre back....c'est bon, c'est magnifique.

The second half began in much the same vein as the first ended, with plenty of possession for Arsenal without a great deal of chances at goal. During the course of the half Giroud replaced Sanogo, whilst Gibbs came off with a slight injury niggle and Wilshere (who got his customary thumping around the park) was replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The reason I've put all the substitutions together is because of the speed with which Wenger made his changes. This is unlike the Wenger we have come to expect and although his hand was forced somewhat by Gibb's injury this was a refreshing turn of events as Wenger realised he needed to change things earlier rather than later.

Giroud and Oxlade-Chamberlain made immediate impacts, creating space for others by giving the Palace defense more to think about. The Lovely Reds wrote in an article last week that Giroud's strengths often lie in his ability to hold up two defenders and this is exactly how Ramsey's winner came about as the Frenchman's sizeable presence dragged the Palace defence over to the right, leaving Rambo free at the back post.

Arsenal were helped by Puncheon's 89th minute sending off for a second bookeable offence. I felt that Palace were unlucky in this respect but at the same time it sets a precedent for teams who come to the Emirates looking to stick the boot in. Aston Villa did the same this time last season, setting a season-high number of fouls for any team.

Ramsey took his finish with aplomb as Arsenal showed their ability to capitalise on a 10 man Palace. This is impressive considering they only had around 5 minutes to do so.

3 points in the bag, top of the table, lets hope we can stay there!

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