Hello and welcome to the King Power Stadium where Arsenal face Leicester City in the third round of the 2020/21 Carabao Cup.
The Gunners come into the tie looking to build on the momentum formed in the early weeks of the season with Premier League wins over Fulham and West Ham. The visit to Craven Cottage was relatively routine, resulting in a 3-0 win but Mikel Arteta’s side were given a tougher task in order to beat the Hammers 2-1 at the Emirates.
As this stands as their first midweek action of the season, rotation is expected from Arteta. Anticipation surrounding the potential for a William Saliba debut has grown as despite featuring in pre-season friendlies with the first team, the 19-year-old has only played for the Under-23s since.
There also lies the possibility of goalkeeper, Runar Alex Runarsson making his first appearance for the club after his transfer from Dijon was confirmed earlier this week. The 25-year-old arrived at the club having worked under goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana at FC Nordsjaelland which could prove crucial to the way Arteta wants to develop his style of play at Arsenal.
Having already delivered the FA Cup and Community Shield to the Emirates trophy cabinet, the Spaniard has fast-understood the value of winning silverware as a manager. As a result, he has remained insistent that not just himself but all clubs will be taking the Carabao Cup seriously this season.
« We are going to take the Carabao Cup seriously, that is for sure, » he said ahead of the game. « Obviously with the fixtures we have, the number of games, it is very difficult. Maybe not in the first games but when the competition moves a little more forward, how teams – not just ourselves – are going to treat the competition.
« But we have to go day by day, lets see what position we are in for Wednesday to try and put out the strongest possible team to try and win it. »
We will be providing live updates of the game, plus build-up and confirmed team news, so don’t go anywhere.
That’s all from the King Power Stadium as Arsenal run out 2-0 winners thanks to a Fuchs own goal and another Eddie Nketiah strike.
Hector Bellerin drives forward into the box and squares for Nketiah who fights he way to put the ball home.
The Arsenal manager was not at all happy in the aftermath of that easy miss, gesticulating to fitness coach Shad Forsythe and set piece expert Andreas Georgson.
Evidently he wants to shore up an Arsenal backline that is coming under pressure from Leicester in these closing stages and Bellerin is about to enter the fray.
Nketiah does well to hook Holding’s hopeful pass over Ward but Wes Morgan reacts quickly to keep it out.
Nketiah lays the ball into Pepe who powers his way to the byline before cutting back. the ball cannons off the post and in off Fuchs.
This has been a really frustrating start for Pepe, who has been constantly told to adjust his position by Arteta. He doesn’t quite look up to pace but whilst that will come you can see the deeper issues that will, in a best case scenario, take a long time to solve.
He is simply too one-footed and Arsenal’s attack moments ago proves it. Maitland-Niles slips him in behind with a beautiful ball to the byline and, with team-mates queuing up for the cutback, Pepe checks back from his right onto his left foot. In that moment Leicester can get back and quell the danger.
Until Pepe becomes at least passable with his right foot you fear there is a ceiling on what he can do.
Joe Willock hasn’t had the best night so far in regards to what he’s offered with the ball, but yet again he’s proven important in midfield as he slides in to cut out a pass.
It’s 0-0 at half time. Arsenal have looked comfortable for most of the half despite some decent chances falling to Leicester.
The Gunners may feel slightly aggrieved having not been given a penalty but will look to build on their momentum after the break.
After some great skill in the build-up from Thomas, he bends an effort up and over Leno only for it to hit the post. A lucky break for the Gunners.
Both David Luiz and Bernd Leno rise to meet a clipped ball in behind but the Brazilian is caught by Leno on the way to the ball.
You probably can’t spot this on the TV cameras but Leno is so far out of his goal when Arsenal have possession, further than I’ve seen him before.
Arsenal attack nicely with Nketiah creating the platform for the move which sees Nelson cut onto his right and curl another effort towards goal.
The Gunners keep up the pressure and win two corners which Nelson fires at goal but it flashes wide.
Bukayo Saka picks up the ball in midfield, drives forward and plays a give and go with Eddie Nketiah.
He advances into the box where he’s brought down by the challenge of Amartey but no penalty is given.
Saka drives towards the box and whips a delicious cross into the six-yard box but neither Nketiah nor Willock could move fast enough to reach it.
It’s notable just how reluctant Leicester are to commit bodies to pressing the Arsenal backline. We’ve just seen the potential risk of trying to steal the ball high up the pitch.
The Gunners draw Leicester out and work the ball to Saka down the left. Suddenly it’s five on five but the youngster can’t quite deliver the perfect pass across the pitch to Pepe.
That’s what makes this Arsenal so devastating. Just when you think you’ve got them hemmed in they burst into life.
Arsenal face a sturdy Leicester defence but the persistence from Saka is key as he breaks into the box initially.
The Gunners then move it across the width of the box where Willock plays a clever ball into Pepe but he can only win a corner. It comes to Kolasinac but his right-footed effort flies wide.
Arsenal are looking much more comfortable on the ball than in the early stages of the game.
Reiss Nelson is key to their play down the left, but there is still work to be done to break into the final third smoothly.
Leicester keep possession and Gray is found in behind the Arsenal defence but Leno saves again. This time around the Foxes are offside.
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com