Arsenal face a tough test this weekend when they head to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City. Can Arsene Wenger’s men, who ave already lost two games this season, avoid another defeat?
The hosts will be looking to in-form Riyad Mahrez for inspiration against the Gunners. And the 24-year-old has undoubtedly been their star player so far this season, with goals like this effort, which came against West Ham United in Week 2.
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Such has been the impressive nature of his play under Claudio Ranieri, Mahrez has reportedly attracted the attention of Arsenal and Barcelona in the transfer market, as noted by ESPN.
However, his priority on Saturday will be to inflict another defeat on Arsenal, which in turn will extend the Foxes’ strong start to the season, which sees them in fourth place in the Premier League heading into the weekend.
The Gunners haven’t entirely convinced in defence as of yet, and depending on which flank Mahrez operates, either Nacho Monreal or Hector Bellerin, if selected, will need to be alert to the threat that he poses.
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It will take a collective effort from the Arsenal backline to deal with the pace and power that Leicester currently boast in their starting line-up. The likely inclusion of Mathieu Flamini after his mid-week heroics at White Hart Lane may not be what Arsenal really need. The Frenchman is highly combative, but he is also very slow.
Wenger will be keen to warn against complacency even if his side are able to control the game and dictate the possession for large periods.
Both Aston Villa and Stoke have been made to pay by Ranieri’s men who have found a way back from two goals down on both occasions to collect four points from unlikely positions, and so the visitors must be focused from start to finish.
If they are not, then they run the risk of becoming the latest scalp for Leicester who have found a ‘never say die’ attitude under their Italian tactician which bodes well for the rest of the campaign.
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