Match Ratings: Leicester v Arsenal

If a team only registers one shot in 90 minutes of play, one would guess that the team would lose. That guess would be completely correct. Leicester City fell to league-leading Arsenal by a score of 1-0 on Saturday at the King Power. The home side defended well, but had the worst attacking performance a person is likely to witness. This was a match that.... happened. Lets get into the match ratings.

Danny Ward: Strangely enough, really did not have much to do. The Gunners only had two shots on target. Ward saved one, and the other one was slotted into the corner nicely by Martinelli. Much like much of the fan base, I just am not sold on him yet. 5.

Timothy Castagne: Not a great game from ole Timmy. He was caught in a few awkward spots defensively and was unable to get forward due to Leicester having approximately no possession for most of the game. 4.5.

Wout Faes: Looked much more calm and collected this game. His positioning was class and when he was isolated he did well. This kid can be really, really good. 6.

Harry Souttar: Definitely got away with a push on Saka in the first half in a clumsy exchange in the box. He was also nutmegged by Trossard which led to the only goal of the match. However contrary to a lot of what can be read on the internet, I didn’t think he was terrible. His long passing wasn’t great, granted. but defensively he was really solid, winning towering headers over Arsenal attackers time and time again. Pretty impressed with him so far, has a bit of the edge that the Leicester defense has needed for some time. 5.5.

Victor Kristiansen: If there was a game where he was going to be “exposed”, this was going to be the one. But he was the standout performer for me. He did so well against one of the trickiest wingers around in Saka. One-on-one he was brilliant, and defended the back post against incoming crosses well. Looks to be an absolute class signing. 7.

Wilfried Ndidi: Just does not seem to be the player he used to be. While he was involved shielding the back line, and at times did well, much of Arsenal’s quick passing seemed to bypass him. This team needs Wilf at his best desperately but one is starting to wonder if his best is in the rearview. 5.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: Did KDH things. Ran hard, competed, and carried the ball. However, he seemed to be the outlet that the foxes were using to get the ball up the other end of the pitch and he had a few chances to really stretch the Gunners. He lacked decisiveness in those moments and cost the team some opportunities to create chances. For a guy who used to “just try stuff”, to see his lack of courage is really disheartening. 5.

Dennis Praet: Worked hard defensively, and was quick with his passing. If he was just a little bit better finding the final ball he would be a great player. 5.

Harvey Barnes: Struggled to get involved, and didn’t seemed interested in taking on his man when he was. Created arguably the most dangerous chance of the match for the foxes with his cross to Tete, but was largely anonymous. 5.

Tete: May find life frustrating playing with Nacho, as he tends to drift to his left so often. When Tete had the ball, he seemed dangerous running at players, but was really poor at making himself an option for his teammates. 5.

Kelechi Iheanacho: Held the ball up well, but often lost it due to lack of support. When the foxes did get forward, he never got into dangerous positions. 4.5.

Substitutes

Jamie Vardy: Just hasn’t been very effective recently, has he? 4.

Youri Tielemans: Busy, tried to play the ball forward without much coming off, and got injured. 4.5.

Boubakary Soumare: Had almost no effect on the game. Needs to get back to speed quickly after his injury. 4.

Patson Daka: Such a similar profile to Vardy. He wants those balls in behind the back line, and they didn’t come. He was invisible. 4.

Ricardo Pereira: Didn’t have time to make much of an impact. Had a chance to swing in a cross with players in the box right before the full-time whistle went, and blasted it into the only man standing in his way. N/A.

With how poorly Arsenal played, it was a really disappointing display from Leicester. It really felt like the team could have gotten something from the game and they been a bit more desicive on the counter.

Thoughts? Concerns? Let us know in the comments below!