Leicester turn attention to replacing Arsenal in big six

Leicester City: How to seize the big six

Kicking off this guide, I want to mention the injuries which Leicester have. In no particular order, the Foxes are without: Justin, Fofana, Praet, Perez, Morgan, and Maddison. Credit to BBC Sport for the update.

That injury list does not look good, but Fofana is re-joining training next week, and Praet is expected back in early March. That would be some very welcome news.

I would line-up with the same attacking system BR has used in many previous matches, helping us to great heights in this season: a 4-3-3 with Youri Tielemans in his actual deep transitional midfield role. The team should be: Kasper Schmeichel, Evans, Soyuncu, Castagne, Ricky P, Wilfred Ndidi, Tielemans, Tavares, Under, Barnes, and Iheanacho.

The benefits of this team would be potent. Strong in terms of penetrating defensive lines and/or rounding them to whip in crosses. Strong in terms of patiently retaining possession until an opening is made. Strong in defending turnovers. Strong in youthful energy and experience.

On our right, Under and Ricky P will need to keep an advancing Kieran Tierney from creating opportunities on their left, with his early crossing and pacy penetration a key in many of Arsenal’s goal scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, they will also have to penetrate defensive lines themselves.

In particular, I would like to see Under come a little more central, and Ricky P stay wider, this would take advantage of Pereira’s strong right foot and pace, as well as Under’s technical ability and need to be more central for goal scoring.

In midfield, Ndidi will have to be on guard to prevent counter-attacks, as this is the Gunners new main threat thanks to their pace and ingenuity. Tielemans’ role is integral to both transitioning into attack and also providing pressure on the defence. He must play deep again.

The inclusion of Tavares might be a little scary. He is largely untested at this level and we could instead have a No. 10 as Iheanacho. However, I want Kelechi Iheanacho further up front so that Leicester City will have plenty of involvement from the main striker, something we see too seldom from Vardy.

Tavares is a fantastic young talent, and very good technically and creatively. He can certainly slot in for Maddison, though he cannot be relied upon to have soul creative responsibilities. This point alone is why the support of an assured back line, a creative left winger in Barnes, and an involved Iheanacho would benefit his performance.

This is how the Foxes can seize Arsenal’s spot in the big six, by beating them twice in one season and finishing in a European place with them outside. Leicester City must show their top six credentials here if they want to be taken seriously by commentators for once.

Do not fret if this turns out ugly, next season the King Power side should have at least two or three new entries, including returning from loan, who can step up and help take Leicester City to another level. Checkout why Kamal Sowah and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are ready for their breakout seasons!