The reigning champions and the runners up last season locked horns at the King Power Stadium and the match ended in a 0-0 stalemate with both sides looking considerably far from their absolute best. Now there are two ways to look at this result for the gunners, one it was a point gained on the home turf of last season’s champions or Arsenal have 1 point in 2 games played so far and they are 5 points off the top. It was a kind of game where fantasy league managers having attacking players from either side would have found hard to swallow and where commentators were lost for words as chances were rare. Looking through Arsenal’s perspective there were bits of brilliance but mostly dull contrary to their style of play and nature to attack on counter.
Arsenal definitely need a striker more than a center back as they just can rely on Walcott they just simply can’t, that is the anger for him have one seen today’s game. Some regarded that he stopped more attacks than the Leicester defence today while others referred to Henry’s status outside the Emirates to be in better shape than him currently. He looked awful with his dribbling and looked out of sorts every time the ball fell in his path, with his pace he should have done better at certain situations but even there he couldn’t get past Leicester defenders.
Both the teams played cautiously in the first half with a penalty appeal against Koscielney at the brink of half time after he brought Drinkwater down inside the box but referee Mark Clattenburg shrugged off his head, that was the talking point of the first half. In the second many changes were expected from both the teams but they fielded unchanged sides and the first change was made by Leicester when Mendy’s foot got struck in the ground and he twisted his ankle. Ozil and Wilshere were brought in by Wenger with nearly 18 minutes remaining and made sudden openings with their brilliant play. Arsenal may have lost a trick there, had Ozil been introduced at half time along with Giroud score line would have been different.
Player Ratings :-
Petr Cech – 7/10
Managed a clean sheet and had an easy outing as Leicester managed only 1 shot on target but that was a decent save from him off Mahrez in dying stages of the game, was good in decision making and alert for any through balls.
Hector Bellerin – 6/10
He has not looked fully convincing in both the matches he has played so far, needs to improve his crosses but was good on the defensive part apart from the problems he had against Musa in the end stages.
Laurent Koscielney – 8/10
Arsenal may not have been in the game had this guy would not have played. He was absolutely brilliant and stayed in his line to deny Leicester any chance in the game. Kept Vardy in check.
Rob Holding – 7/10
Had a decent game for a 20 year old young defender still looking to learn and looks like he is here to stay, gave away free kick in the dying stages of the second half but it did not cost like the previous game.
Nacho Monreal – 7/10
Was solid against the Algerian at the flanks and tackled the trickery of Mahrez quiet well. Lacked fluidity in going forward and delivering crosses but in absence of Giroud there were few Arsenal figures in the box at times and was left searching.
Granit Xhaka – 6.5/10
He looked good on his first premier league start for Arsenal and controlled the game well unlike Liverpool where he was awful in whatever time he got. Still settling in here and needs 3-4 games till he delivers.
Francis Coquelin – 6/10
Was lucky to get away for his tackle on Mahrez after getting Yellow for a rash tackle on Vardy earlier. Good defensively but needs to be better in advancing the play.
Santi Cazorla – 6/10
Played as a number 10 but failed to penetrate the Leicester backline and was trapped in tight positions, overall had an average game.
Alexis Sanchez – 6/10
He lacked the class he possesses and looked a normal player giving away the ball on most of the occasions. Didn’t penetrate the defence and was left fuming throughout the game.
Theo Walcott -5.5/10
Theo looks like his graph is sloping downwards in his Arsenal career, created spaces but was awful in front of goal and providing final passes to his team mate. Lost the ball frequently and failed to dribble past the defenders on many occasions, had a bad game.
Oxlade Chamberlain – 7/10
He was a positive for Arsenal in a game which had few chances. Good balance on the ball and creating most of the spaces given to him looked most threatening in the first half but withered in the second. Had a decent game.
Substitutes:-
Jack Wilshere – 7/10
Subbed in with Ozil with 20 minutes remaining to provide some impetus and played some good passes leading to some openings. All in all looked composed in time he got on the ball.
Mesut Ozil – 8/10
His introduction opened the Leicester defence at times and created some chances collaborating with Sanchez but failed to deliver that assist.
Olivier Giroud – 6.5/10
Was brought in the game with just 12 minutes remaining and couldn’t find a winner. Won aerial duels as expected from him and had little to do in the game.
