Foxes of Leicester
Fansided

Leicester turn attention to replacing Arsenal in big six

By Elliot Mackness

Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City
Jamie Vardy of Leicester City (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Foxes up front

Leicester City have been an attacking force to contend with this season. They are improving massively, and finally becoming consistent, this is why Youri Tielemans loves playing here. This is of course within the context of not always attacking at the pace and ferocity they are capable of. Whereas Arsenal have been a lame duck.

Let’s take a look at the stats. The King Power side create an average of 1.12 big chances per match, with an xG (expected goals) of 37.60, with 44 actually scored. This would only make them eighth in terms of xG. That sounds not too good, but the three teams ahead of the Foxes are Brighton & Hove Albion, Aston Villa, and Leeds United.

To be honest with you, those three teams have sacrificed defensive solidity for attacking intent. Further to this, Brighton and Villa both create a large number of low quality chances, where Leicester create high quality chances patiently – until they get desperate anyway.

Just for reference, the Foxes four best attacking contributors per 90 (judged based on xG90 + xA90 – Islam Slimani) are Jamie Vardy, Cengiz Under, Kelechi Iheanacho (start him!), then Harvey Barnes. For granted, Barnes has played a lot more minutes than Under and ‘Nacho. This is why I would love to see Barnes, ‘Nacho, and Under in the starting XI.

Arsenal on the other hand are interestingly subpar. With an average of 1.16 chances, with an xG of 32.88, actually scoring 31. I cannot pin down how they are not more potent. Though I suppose a full strength Arsenal would be more potent.

Imagine facing Thomas Partey, Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and their obviously brilliant strikers. That does not sound fun. Do not forget that Leicester are without James Maddison, Ayoze Perez, and Dennis Praet (injury update to follow). The only two players who are not already in the starting XI who can cover are ‘Nacho and Sidnei Tavares.

From an attacking standpoint, with the benefit of having the currently on-form Barnes, I rate Leicester City to score a goal at least, maybe two if Vardy can get involved. Remember that Arsenal can score if they turn up to score. Let’s see how we can win this one.