FoL EXCLUSIVE: Leicester City Vs Arsenal preview with Lee Chappy

As Leicester City welcome Arsenal for what is being dubbed as Unai Emery’s day of reckoning, we spoke to Leicester Fan TV’s Lee Chappy to preview a potentially feisty Premier League encounter.

Q. Leicester City the favourites, Arsenal the underdogs – and comfortably so. Did you expect to be seeing such a damning statement this soon into the Brendan Rodgers era? Does it speak more about Leicester’s progress or the Gunners’ lack thereof?

"“Well, we have never been seen as ‘favourites’ against the Gunners in my lifetime, so I think credit is due to Brendan Rodgers’ setup coming into the King Power. Yes, Arsenal at the minute are not the ‘Arsenal’ we all know, but let’s not take away the massive progress Leicester are making.”"

Q. Let’s talk about Arsenal first. Loads of narratives ahead of this box-office clash at the King Power Stadium, most of which are concerned with Unai Emery. Many have suggested that his tenure is somewhat reminiscent of Claude Puel’s time at Leicester in terms of the way that both managers seem to have held their players back. Do you agree?

"“Yes, Claude puel didn’t have the attacking end of his idea of a ‘more possession-based Leicester’. Arsenal fans seem to be saying similar things under Emery that the Leicester faithful did under Purl: boring, side-to-side and uninspired selections and subs.”"

Q. The only narrative that relates to Leicester is that they are going to walk over Arsenal to secure a third straight victory over them at home. Have you bought into that opinion? Not that the visitors don’t have the players to inflict a result that’s quite the opposite?

"“The confidence around Leicester fans that we can walk over arsenal isn’t an arrogant affair. We have watched this team of players really grow together. I think this confidence has rubbed off from the players and their performances to the fans.“Arsenal have always done a job against Leicester – not forgetting the double over us when we won the league. We can’t underestimate them regardless of how confident we are.”"

Q. Who do you see as the most important player in this Leicester set-up, considering specifically, the tactics that Arsenal are going to resort to? And who is it – or what is it – that Leicester must themselves be wary of to avoid a bad result?

"“With Arsenal, you know they like to attack at a fast pace. I think we control the middle by winning the ball back quick and effective with Wilfred Ndidi, using James Maddison or Youri Tielemans and getting it to Jamie Vardy. I can see Arsenal playing down the wings and a return of Hector Bellerin today will help them do just that.”"

Q. There’s a lot about the fixture that reeks of drama. Do you feel much the same? Or is it going to be another routine win for Leicester?

"“Leicester and Arsenal have had some belters in the past, not forgetting the Dennis Bergkamp and Steve Walsh goals, and the last minute winner during the 2015/16 season where they acted almost like they’d won the title – to name just a few.“With Arsenal playing in Europe midweek, we have the advantage on stamina and fatigue. They have four draws back to back and form means a lot in today’s game. With Leicester on the winning streak and the buzz around this fantastic young squad, I think we take them down like last season. 2-0 Leicester.”"