Arsenal look to continue their momentum
The sight of Alexis Sanchez setting off to celebrate the winner at the iconic Wembley Stadium is still very fresh with North London still basking in the glory that his goal brought about – it was double delight time for the Arsenal faithful around the world. Whereas Tottenham Hotspur had already lost their 7th consecutive FA Cup semi-final, their neighbours secured a place in their 20th FA Cup final, a record.
Time will tell whether such a victory results in the resurrection of Arsenal’s Premier League campaign, as can often happen, but for the moment, it’s important for Arsene Wenger to ensure that his side’s new-found life is made full use of as they prepare to face Leicester City at The Emirates Stadium before going up against Tottenham Hotspur at the White Hart Lane.
The last time the Foxes visited Arsenal’s territory, they came here as league leaders looking to keep the Gunners at bay and away from the Premier League’s summit. Up until the 94th minute, just as it looked like they had done their job, a peach of a set-piece delivery from Mesut Ozil found its way to the returning Danny Welbeck’s head. Arsenal had their Valentine’s Day gift.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
A year or so later, things are quite different for both of them, and while Leicester City would still be happy with their season, Arsenal aren’t. Every game now seemingly a cup final for Wenger’s side, they have to at least try to pick points against the weaker sides. For all their recent form, the Foxes are no Chelsea or Tottenham who can make life hell. You do the basics right against them and you are likely to win the game.
What Arsenal mustn’t do here is switch back to the standard 4-3-2-1 and allow Leicester City to play more on the counter attack. A back four effectively becomes a back two in Arsenal’s case, as rightly pointed out by Sam Allardyce, so there definitely isn’t a need to change and bring more of Jamie Vardy into the play. The Gunners looked much, much more secure playing a back three and Xhaka sitting right in front of them. A repeat of that exact performance will leave Craig Shakespeare with little chance of getting anything out of the fixture.
No silly mistakes and the three points are Arsenal’s. Hardly gets any simpler.
Quotes
“We are in a formation that is really adaptable because Gabriel can play right back,” Arsene Wenger said. “Overall I think we play a system that is not a strict three at the back because when we have the ball Chamberlain plays midfielder basically.
“What did was it got the players to focus on something that is concrete, to forget anxiety and a little bit of uncertainty. Sometimes when a team doesn’t do well, just focusing on something different helps to focus on something that might be better. We realised that we have to fight like mad to come back and win our games.
“It’s possible I’ll use it against Leicester.”
Next: Tottenham purchase could cost Arsenal Alexis Sanchez
Possible XI: Cech; Gabriel, Holding, Koscielny; Monreal, Ramsey, Xhaka, Chamberlain; Ozil, Alexis, Giroud.