Leicester City 1 Arsenal 1
Report by Mike King
Having given Chelsea the previous week a good run for all their money, and despite the set-back against Shrewsbury in the Capital One Cup, the City's fans, in a sell-out crowd, were looking forward to visitors Arsenal who had confirmed their Champions League entry in their previous game against Besiktas.
With further transfer speculation for both teams before the crazy transfer deadline on Monday, manager Pearson, who in several interviews stated the City team were going all out to win every game, kept faith with the starting eleven against Chelsea, with new signing Cambiasso keeping the subs bench warm, but no sign of Knockaert or Taylor-Fletcher on the City's team sheet, speculation that they are both "on their way" from the King Power Stadium.
Arsenal, with Giroud out injured, gave a start to the tall, leggy striker Sanogo, who has failed to score in 17 starts, with England players Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain on the bench. Sanchez partnered Sanogo up front with manager Wenger admitting he was short of strikers.
The game started fairly evenly in bright sunshine that made the King Power Stadium and the pitch look magnificent for the Sky cameras. As expected, Arsenal started to pass the ball around, but the City also showed their attacking intentions with Mahrez forcing his way down the right with a cross intended for Ulloa, but Koscielny cleared the danger.
De Laet seemed to have more space down the right and made a couple of raids, with one cross finding Ulloa but he could not turn and the danger was cleared. Further raids down the left by Schlupp supported by Konchesky gave the Arsenal defenders problems, however, Hammond in mid-field was finding the going tough by often giving the ball away and King trying hard to influence the game.
Schlupp was protecting Konchesky very well as Arsenal attacked down both wings, but the same problem as against Everton was noted when Mahrez often left De Laet exposed and Sanchez, who always went on to his right foot tried to take advantage.
A high through ball by Konchesky found both Schlupp and Koscielny challenging together in mid-air with both players falling to the pitch clutching their heads. Schlupp seemed to be okay but Koscielny, after several minutes of treatment, ran down the tunnel for stitching up.
The City were pushing forward and a great lay off by Nugent allowed Mahrez to fire the ball just wide of the post. However, after 20 minutes, the City's defence was breached, when Cazorla looped the ball to Sanogo, who looked off-side, and his cross flicked off Schmeichel and found Sanchez who fired the ball into the City's net from 8 yards.
But the Arsenal's lead didn't last long after the City's faithful roared their team on. Schlupp used his pace down the left and sent over a perfect cross to find Ulloa who headed the ball past Szczesny from 6 yards with little challenge from the injured Koscielny. The noise was deafening! Shortly afterwards Koscielny, unsurprisingly, was replaced by England call-up Chambers.
Arsenal then drove forward to try and regain the lead but the City's defence held firm despite two efforts by Sanogo, with Morgan and Moore throwing their bodies against any threat. Several City shouts for handball were denied as referee Taylor waved away the claims as he did when Moore appeared to be tripped by Ramsay in the box.
As half time approached, Mahrez, after an excellent run, fired a shot at Szczesny, but the 'keeper held the ball. Speculation at half-time was that Hammond would be replaced, as Cambiasso was not with the other subs warming up on the pitch, but as the 2 teams emerged from the tunnel, the City's team sheet remained the same as at the start of the game.
The first opportunity of the second half fell to Arsenal as Sanchez and Cazorla interchanged, with Cazorla firing the ball wide from a narrow angle. However, the City should have taken the lead minutes later. A long ball found Ulloa who controlled the ball well, turned the Arsenal defender Chambers, but with goal at his mercy, fired the ball into the side netting when perhaps the option of curling the ball inside the far post would have been better. Ulloa held his head in his hands knowing a good chance had gone begging!
Both teams were going for the winner. A Ramsay headed effort was easily saved by Schmeichel then the City's number one saved well from Monreal. Then, after good work by Ulloa and Mahrez, Nugent was found at the far post, but Debuchy challenged and the City's strikers effort came to nothing.
The City's team were running their socks off with several players seemingly struggling with their fitness, Hammond often with his hands on his hips, but Arsenal continued to splay the ball around and as they were often short passing around the City's penalty box, the City's defenders, often in packs of 3 or 4, managed to stop any real goal threats with, as usual, the Arsenal players trying to walk the ball into the net, failing to shoot from 18 / 20 yards when in good positions.
Mahrez was replaced by Albrighton after 65 minutes, with 5 minutes later Vardy entering the fray to replace Schlupp much do the delight of the home crowd as it was expected his pace could pose a threat to the Arsenal defenders.
Drinkwater then replaced Ulloa, and with exception of Albrighton, it was a Championship side City had on the pitch. Arsenal bought on Podolski for Sanogo and Oxlade-Chamberlain for Cazorla. There were now 3 World Cup winners on the pitch!
Then Vardy had an excellent chance to win the game as he collected the ball in his own half, ran forward, viewed Nugent out wide on the right. Nugent's return pass saw Vardy shoot from an angle but Szczesny saved well, the ball ending up without any further danger. Drinkwater then had a chance but his effort went wide of the goal.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was soon limping after a strong City challenge, then Ozil left the pitch in front of the East Stand, but he eventually returned after realising there were no more subs allowed.
The game ended all square, probably a fair result but with the City having 2 good chances in the second half, many thought a point was not enough, but the undefeated City's home record was intact and 15th place in the Premiership after 3 very tough games seems okay with Stoke away next who beat the Champions on Saturday. As Pearson stated "We're going out to win every game!" Go for it!
It was a really committed performance by the City team having only 31% possession, but can they carry this on for the rest of the season especially against the lower teams in the Premiership? Where will the first win come from? The back 4 were excellent, with Konchesky probably having the best game of his City career, with Morgan and Moore continuing their excellent form. With Drinkwater and Cambiasso waiting in the wings, the next mid-field selection by the manager will be interesting. Will Vardy start with Ulloa next game?
With several signings intimated in the press in the last day of the transfer window, will the City bring in more cover? Let us see!
CITY: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan (c), Moore, Konchesky, Mahrez (Albrighton 64), King, Hammond, Schlupp (Vardy 70), Nugent, Ulloa (Drinkwater 77). SUBS NOT USED: Hamer, Wasilewski, Cambiasso, Wood
GOAL: Ulloa 23
ARSENAL: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker (c), Koscielny (Chambers 27), Monreal, Őzil, Ramsey, Sanchez, Cazorla (Oxlade-Chamberlain 77), Flamini, Sanogo (Podolski 77). SUBS NOT USED: Martinez, Rosicky, Wilshere, Campbell
GOAL: Sanchez 20
ATTENDANCE: 31,535 REFEREE: Anthony Taylor
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation