LEICESTER CITY 0 ARSENAL 0
Match Report by Paul Weston
As I drove from Suffolk towards the first “home” match of the season I could not quite work out what I expected for the season after the quite incredible events of the previous year. Was it to get more than 40 points to ensure Premiership safety (which would have been our normal goal)? Was it top 10 with a decent performance in the Champions League? Or was it to be in the top 4 again challenging the so- called big teams who have all spent mega amounts of money in the close season?
I decided that I would just go with the flow and enjoy what hopefully would be an exciting and stress-free season in the Premiership. Nothing would ever erase the memories of last season.
The teams came onto the pitch to glittering banners in the Kop end celebrating our achievements. After the disappointing result against Hull, Ranieri reshuffled the pack. Huth was back to partner Morgan, Albrighton came in for Gray, Okazaki for Musa and Mendy in central midfield to attempt to fill the boots of Kante. We still mourn his departure but are grateful for the part he played in our wonderful season and it was a privilege to see such a good player, if only for one season.
After the 5-2 drubbing we received at the hands of Arsenal last year it was inevitable that the match would start off as a more cautious affair, especially as both teams had had poor results in their first matches. Arsenal had, as expected, the majority of possession and City struggled to string many moves together and there was an absence of chances created.
Arsenal broke fast at pace but all too often their absence of a target man let them down. I carefully watched Mendy throughout the first half and have to admit that I was very disappointed. He may have been unfit or not used to the pace of the game, but the game passed by around him and he had no effect on the game. His tackles were usually late, resulting in a yellow card, not through over-aggression but through being too slow. There is very little to say about the first half other than 0-0 was fair and we hoped that City would move up a gear in the second half.
The main talking point at half time was that Drinkwater had looked to be tripped when shooting for goal after a pass from Vardy. Match of the Day cameras later showed though that Koscielny had just got to the ball first.
City started the second half in a much more pressing style, harrying the Arsenal players into errors, and starting the fast passing moves that we know so well. Ranieri had obviously said some choice Italian words!
Sadly another catalyst for City’s improved performance in the second half was an injury to Mendy after a few minutes. King came on as substitute, played well and we started to see the Foxes of old rediscover their mojo. The match came alive and both teams looked for a win.
Vardy looked to be getting back to fitness. He should have scored but missed from a narrow angle. Mahrez went close with a free kick- just over the bar. The match became more open and there were some hairy moments in the City defence although few clear chances created by Arsenal.
Ulloa came on for a tiring Okazaki and immediately made an impact with his hold up play and also reinforcing defence when needed. As the minutes ticked away Musa came on for Albrighton, who had played well in the second half. Musa immediately zoomed forward into the penalty area and was tripped from behind by Bellerin. It was a penalty but waved away by referee Clattenberg. Another chance went begging when Musa chose to pass when he had a good chance of a direct shot on goal.
So the match ended 0-0 with City on top and Arsenal I suspect more grateful for the point. It was a match City could have won in the second half with the chances created but at least it was a better defensive performance than in the previous encounter.
It was good to see the solidity of defence returning and in midfield Drinkwater gave a masterful display, although in the first half it seemed that he was having to do it all on his own. The attack is still not functioning sharply although matters improved in the second half. Probably better fitness and understanding between the new players like Musa will start to pay dividends.
And so the next home match against Swansea is not so far away. Bring it on!!
Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Mendy (King 53), Albrighton (Musa 87), Okazaki (Ulloa 67), Vardy. Subs not used: Hernandez, Amartey, Zieler, Gray
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Holding, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Xhaka (Wilshere 73), Walcott, Cazorla (Ozil 73), Oxlade-Chamberlain (Giroud 78), Sanchez. Subs not used: Gibbs, Ospina, Chambers, Elneny
Attendance: 32,008 Referee: Mark Clattenburg
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