2016/2017 PREMIER LEAGUE KICK OFF ARSENAL VS LEICESTER

ARSENAL VS LEICESTER

                   With the kick off the premier league set to kick off on 11^th August 2o17 at the Emirates stadium both arsenal and Leicester will be looking for a win to kick start their premier league campaign. The visitors come to this match with 4 losses and one draw in their past 5 encounters, a disappointing record which they hope to change.

Both clubs have been busy on the transfer market with arsenal obtaining the services of Alexander Lacazette from Lyon for a club record fee of 52 million pounds and also obtained the services of Sead Kolasinac from Schalke 04 on a free transfer. There have also been rumours that arsenals want to sign Rihyad Mahrez from Leicester for 40 million pounds but Leicester are holding out on 50 million pounds. Leicester have brought in the services of Vincent Iborra from sevilla for a fee of 12.75 million pounds and also brought in Harry Maguire from hull city for a fee of 11.65 million pounds.

Arsenal come into the match as favorites to win the match with their unbeaten record in the past five games against Leicester and presence of Alexander Lacazette who is added fire power as he was the second best scorer in the France Ligue 1 with 28 goals to his name. Arsenal plays much more what would be called total football. While they still try to dominate possession they do so with a much more aggressive attack, and they are more comfortable defending. Their players stay true to their positions, but still they are fantastic (maybe the best in the BPL) at passing, running into space and playing through balls etc. Arsenal also like to attack wide and play crosses in from the side and touchline, (forwards are much better in the air). Arsenals also like to attack with speed, often playing longer passes and keeping more space between their own players. With this they are likely to dominate the match.

Leicester as the visitors come into the match as under dogs but that is not enough to put them out of the match as they play with determination and in the few past two seasons the top 6 teams have found it difficult to put them down. With the likes of Jamie Vardy who has proved himself to be complete centre forward with his pace and finishing skills in front of goal and also the presence of Rihyad mahrez whose future is uncertain at the club but has the capability to bring havoc to defenses. Perhaps the strongest element of this Leicester team is their ability to transition into good positions for an attack so quickly after being in their defensive shape. One reason for this might be the fact they play a simple 4-4-2 shape that they both defend and attack in, making the shift into attacking positions not too long a distance to run. With these aspects they are certainly going to put up a fight.

With all these styles that these two teams bring into the game its looks like it will be a gruesome match to get the first three points in the new 2016/2017 premier league season.

By EDWIN MAINA