In the grand scheme of things, the best team with superior personnel and fluid organisation wins in most sports. And typically in life as well, for that matter. Unlike Leicester City, annoyingly, certain sides such as Arsenal and Manchester City give themselves added boosts by being hard to beat and frustrating to any level or type of opposition team. And, as you well know, the Gunners and the Citizens are (usually, City were a strange proposition this season) two of the most talents outfits in the Premier League and in world football overall.
So how do those clubs increase their chances of winning games? Do they achieve it by pushing boundaries and testing rules? Yes; in fact many ways and options are available to wily and willing managers. Essentially, this is called 'mastering the dark arts' in football. Unfortunately the East Midlands side are yet to master or even employ the method from what I've seen in 30-odd years of watching Leicester. However it is getting more tricky to get away with it these days. Any sly elbows or Vinny Jones-esque behaviour is recored or seen nowadays. New or 'improved' restrictions will come into effect for next season's Championship competition. What is changing for Foxes fans to know about?
Leicester City have never mastered dark arts but now it's getting difficult to do so in the modern era
My philosophy is close to 'win by any means necessary', apart from basic or blatant cheating. Gaining an advantage in anything closely contested can guarantee victory. Mikel Arteta and his former mentor Pep Guardiola would concur.
Although over the years, Leicester bosses seem to forget to tell players to even take the ball into the corner at the end of tight matches. Let alone having their goalkeeper hold on to to it for slightly too long at the risk of an ineffectual yellow card.
Whether you agree or not, the City squad never really intimidated officials. Something that definitely earned Manchester United extra points over the years. Then we have feigning injury and being leisurely when winning. All these things are now being clamped down on:
"The FA has gone over a number of changes to the Laws of the Game that will apply in the Championship from the start of the 2025/26 season.Leicester Mercury
Several updates are minor clarifications, but a few could have a significant impact on how matches are played - and managed - next season."