CHRIS Graham (@chrisgraham79) previews Wednesday night’s clash between Arsenal and Leicester.
Arsenal v Leicester | Wednesday 19:45
The chorus of #WengerOut that has dominated the media over the last couple of months has gone a bit quiet. Yes, on Sunday Arsenal qualified for their third FA Cup Final in three years as they beat Man City in the semi-final at Wembley.
Whatever you think of the club at the moment and how they performed in that game specifically, it’s a remarkable record for Arsene Wenger to flaunt. It certainly muddies the picture of his future over the next month, that’s for sure.
In truth though, they did feel a little fortunate on Sunday. Man City had a goal disallowed controversially and they slammed the Gunners on the shot count 20-9.
Before Sunday, Arsenal faced Middlesbrough in the league. That night they stumbled past them 2-1 and hardly looked on the road to recovery.
No flamboyance from Arsenal
So, with this in mind, it’s hard to be brimming with confidence about the Gunners as this game against Leicester approaches on the horizon.
Odds of 4/7 on the Gunners don’t really jump off the page when you consider how their opponents have fared under Craig Shakespeare.
If this game was a fortnight or so ago, I’d be far sweeter on Leicester, but there’s one crucial thing to bear in mind with regard to where they currently stand: they’re out of the Champions League.
No Champions League, no interest?
One feels that that competition has been their daily fuel throughout this season and it was only really during the two month period when the Champions League closed down (mid-December to mid-February) that they hit the skids.
Positioned on 37 points, the Foxes probably need another win to cement their place in next season’s top division. That should come against West Brom or Watford in their next couple of matches, but then again…
I think the fear for Leicester is the fact the air has come out of their balloon now they’re out of the Champions League and how they mange to react to that.
I’m sure they’ll be ok against West Brom and/or Watford but this might be too big an ask at the Emirates facing a buoyant Arsenal.
The Gunners have looked shaky in defence for a number of weeks now (conceded in eight of their last 10 Premier League matches) and there’s certainly reasons to back the Foxes to notch. Leicester have scored in their last seven league games and should oblige here.
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Arsenal v Leicester – Arsenal to win and Both Teams To Score (9/5 Bet Stars)
