Who’d have thunk it?
If you had have predicted Arsenal to be challenging for the league title at February, most people would no doubt have met those assertions with an understandably straight face.
But had you have said they’d face a season defining clash against Leicester, of all clubs…well, the same can’t be said.
That’s what it has come to though, and Sunday’s game between the Foxes and the Gunners looms as one that could decide the title, even at this early stage.
We asked Chris Forryan of Leicester Till I Die and Daily Cannon‘s Lee Hurley about the clash, their respective teams, and each other.
Outside90: What’s your favourite Arsenal vs Leicester clash of all time?
Chris Forryan: Leicester City 3-3 Arsenal. Wednesday 27 August 1997. A superb Berkamp hat-trick with one sublime goal but a fight back by Leicester showing the never say die spirit we had under then manager Martin O’Neill. I remember Gunners players going mad because of the injury time being played even though they scored one in said injury time and Ian Wright and Steve Walsh squaring up after the final whistle. It was at our old ground of Filbert Street, midweek night games were always special there.
Lee Hurley: There have been some great matches between these two sides over the years. The 6-1 Boxing Day hammering in 2000 was pretty fun, especially given the festive season, but it has to be the 2-1 win at Highbury on the final day of the 03-04 season to clinch a league season unbeaten. Going behind to Paul Dickov just added to the drama on the day. The 6-3 in 1896 sounds like it might have been a cracker as well, but even I’m not old enough to remember that one.
O90: How would you sum up Arsenal/Leicester fans?
Forryan: I have a mate who is an Arsenal fan. But overall the ones I have met seem ok. The ones that go on the radio do the club no good at all, always seem to be winging about Wenger. Most clubs would love to have had the success Arsenal have had under him.
Hurley: Easy going and cautiously delighted (yet not obsessed) with being top of the league.
READ MORE: EPL – Combined XI – Arsenal vs Leicester City
O90: Which current Leicester/Arsenal player do you loathe and why?
Forryan: A bit harsh? To be fair, I couldn’t really name one. But if i had to I’ll take the one that, should Arsenal beat us on Sunday scores the winning goal.
Hurley: Loathe is a very strong word so I can honestly say I don’t loathe any Leicester player. I don’t particularly like Robert Huth, but that’s more for his Chelsea and Stoke connections than anything else.
O90: What do you rate you season out of 10 so far and why?
Forryan: Twelve! Unbelievable Jeff, truly is. I couldn’t have dreamed this would happen my pinching myself to make sure it is real is fast turning into self abuse.
Hurley: Seven. As usual, Arsenal are falling short of what they are capable of and the only thing stopping them being well out of this race is that others are rubbish too.
READ MORE: How Arsenal can avoid Manchester City’s fate and burst the Leicester bubble
O90: Which areas of the pitch should Leicester/Arsenal look to strengthen?
Forryan: I would have said right back earlier in the season but Danny Simpson has come good there and we have just bought Amtarey. For a team doing as well as we are what improvements could be made? Maybe a second striker who scores more regularly to take the pressure off Vardy.
Hurley: The immediate answer that comes to mind would be on the right – right back and right wing. At right back, the Gunners have an amazing player in Hector Bellerin but are lacking cover. On the right flank they need to reinforce. Theo Walcott should be out there permanently and an end put to this nonsense of playing him as a striker, but even then, his form has been poor. Joel Campbell is better than any of us expected but not the level we want to see, while Danny Welbeck is not a winger/wide forward.
O90: What formation/starting XI should Leicester/Arsenal field on Sunday?
Forryan: 442, Done us well so far. We shouldn’t worry about Arsenal and play to our strengths. I do believe all the pressure to win will be on them.
Hurley: ‘Should’ and ‘will’ are two very different things. I’d like to see Cech – Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal – Coquelin, Ramsey – Alexis, Ozil, Campbell – Giroud but we could well get Cech – Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal – Flamini, Ramsey – Alexis, Ozil, Walcott – Giroud.
O90: Score prediction for Sunday?
Forryan: Gonna go 2-1 to Leicester, well it would be rude not to wouldn’t it?
Hurley: Like the first match earlier in the season, there will definitely be goals in this one and I see Arsenal winning it again, perhaps 2-1 or 3-2 because I do expect it to be closer than the 5-3.
O90: Where will Leicester finish come season’s end and where will Arsenal finish?
Forryan: I have never said this before but I think first. There is no reason why, if we beat them on Sunday, that we can’t go on and win it. Arsenal? Their usual position of fourth I’m afraid. Too inconsistent to do better.
Hurley: I want to believe that they’ll win the title but I’m not sure if they’ve got the confidence needed. First or second, so if it is the latter I’d like it to be behind Leicester. Well, not like, but you know what I mean.
O90: Provide one-word answers when you hear these words:
Forryan:
Ozil – Class
Wenger – Coat
Giroud – Threat
Sanchez – Injury
Cech – Chelsea
Hurley:
Vardy – Marmite
Mahrez – Stylish
Ranieri – Underrated
Huth – Lump
Drinkwater – Industrious
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