Simple plan and Ramsdale’s brilliance secure the points at Leicester

Leicester City 0 Arsenal 2 
Premier League 
Saturday 30th October 2021 12.30pm  

Sometimes, you can over-complicate football tactics in an effort to outwit the opposition. Although as a failsafe, keeping it simple and relying on the talent and attitude of the players can pay dividends as the last three Arsenal performances have shown. All those games saw two goal margins of victory and the concession of a single goal. Mikel Arteta is now playing a clearly defined 4-4-2 formation when the opposition have possession, and it feels like the players have a far clearer idea of their roles now. Simplicity can be a thing of beauty. Equally key is the good form being shown by the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Alex Lacazette, the latter now playing as more of a number 10 when Arsenal have the ball and causing havoc with his link play.

Many a Gooner expressed before this match that they’d be content with a point, but Arsenal played some excellent football to establish a two goal margin and then managed – through a mixture of brilliant goalkeeping and determination – to retain their lead. It has been a pleasure to see two headed goals from corners of late, Gabriel getting on the scoresheet yesterday. In the play that led to the corner, Leicester were probably justified in their annoyance at not being given a foul, although this was kind of evened up by the lack of a red card for Jonny Evans in the second half. The referee had a bit of a shocker in all truth. 

The second goal was a consequence of Lacazette creating chaos in the Leicester box and Emile Smith Rowe being in the right place to convert a loose ball. It is good to see him starting to score more often, as the team need goals from all over if they are to push on and have a meaningful season. Credit to the two forwards though – their contribution to the cause was notable, not least making themselves available to take advantage of Ramsdale’s excellent distribution from the back. There were a lot of questions over Arteta’s pursuit of a twice relegated keeper during the summer, which have disappeared completely now.

Certainly, the save he pulled off from James Madisson’s free kick was a thing of wonder, and he deserved the fortune on the follow up which saw Thomas Partey clear the ball off the line. In the second half, for the first 25 minutes, it felt a bit like the Alamo as Leicester dominated and the chances came thick and fast, either missing the target or being foiled by the presence of Ramsdale, not shy to rush off his line and lay his body on the line. 

By hook or by crook, Arsenal survived, and the concluding 20 minutes of the second half saw the tempo lessen, and the decision to not reduce Leicester to ten men did not have any consequences. 

So we have a system that is working and the personnel to execute it. Let’s get things into perspective – yesterday’s game was more even than the result suggests, but nonetheless, a win against a side as good as Leicester have become is something to celebrate. Due to a very competitive Premier League, with few results being predictable (as yesterday confirmed), in spite of a very mixed campaign so far, Arsenal are now moving in the right direction and knocking on the door of the Champions League places. 

The momentum is good and needs to be continued in the forthcoming matches – Liverpool and Manchester United away loom on the horizon as the next two away trips, although home fixtures against Watford and Newcastle both need to be won if Arsenal are genuinely going to shake things up at the top of the table. 

I have expressed more than once my lack of faith in Mikel Arteta – too much of a tinkerman in selection and tactics. By doing the opposite, he is starting to see the kind of results and performances his players are capable of. Long may it continue.

To be notified when there is fresh content on my blog (generally the day after matches), follow me on Twitter - https://twitter.com/KevinWhitcher01