Arsenal face Leicester City on Sunday in a pivotal clash at the Emirates Stadium and while manager Arsene Wenger said that that the match is “not decisive for the PL” it is still a must-win game for both teams. The Foxes got a drubbing in the first game against Arsenal when they were beaten 5-2 at the King Power Stadium. But Leicester City go into this weekend’s game as table-toppers and title favourites and Arsenal will need to produce a special performance if they are to reduce their 5-point deficit with the Foxes.
Arsenal ended a run of 4 PL games without a win last week when they beat Bournemouth 2-0 and manager Arsene has said that his team need to get the “momentum back”
“We have to look at ourselves. We have to get the momentum back. We want to find consistency in our results for the season. Let’s not count on the weakness of Leicester, because they’ve not shown many. We won there 5-2 then the week after… we shouldn’t speculate on Leicester”
Wenger also gave updates on the injuries of Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere”
“I don’t count on Cazorla and Wilshere in the next three or four weeks.
On Welbeck : “He’s done quite well. I think he’s very close. Fitness-wise he’s there, it’s just sharpness he needs.”
Wenger also spoke about Leicester’s stand out players this season Mahrez and Vardy:
“Goalscoring Vardy, providing Mahrez. Vardy scores goals, Mahrez creates in tight situations. What’s amazing with Mahrez is he’s not only a provider, but also a goalscorer as well.”
Wenger also admitted that he didn’t know too much about Vardy before:
“I didn’t know him. He played second division in France. So they did very well. Today he’s one of the dominant players in the Premier League.”
Leicester City’s rise to the top of the table is nothing short of a fairy tale and they are the neutral’s favourite team. Wenger also gave his views on their title challenge.
“It’s very romantic of course. It goes against usual practice in our game. With quality work, scouting, management, you can have great results”
“I believe still they’re in a position where they think where they are, they have nothing to lose. “But when you’re top, you can lose what you have.”The pressure is on us aswell, I don’t deny that. But it take it as a positive, an opportunity to show how strong we are.”
On his team’s 5-2 win over Leicester earlier this season.
“At the time everyone thought that’s normal. Today, with the distance, you see it’s a great performance from our side. Wenger has not lost to Ranieri in 8 previous encounters and he hopes it will continue.”
Wenger also spoke about the issue of ticket prices and away fans
“Our most common ticket price is lower than many places in England. I don’t think we have a problem with that. You have to find a compromise. Away fans need to be there. We do our maximum to help away fans. We have specialised people who look at it.”
“I see fans as supporters. I think it’s like a little bit, you are at home, you use electricity, and you have no choice. They go to a club and they want a fair price. Football started in the street. It’s a moment of happiness in your life. Life is not every day fantastic, something boring. Football is a moment of happiness in your life, so don’t miss it.”
He also says that the protests of the fans do not affect the players.
“I don’t think so (it affects the team). I don’t like to use that as an excuse. The players once on the pitch focus on their job. When you play sometimes, I didn’t even know if it rained. You don’t focus too much on the stands.”