For Leicester City, there was good news and bad news after beating Crystal Palace.

The good news is that Leicester have picked up their third win in their last five league games.

This also allowed the Blue Foxes to get an excellent record of 12 wins, 7 draws and 5 losses, and finished third in the league with 43 points.

Ahead of him, there are still two strong contenders for the Premier League title:

Chelsea on 56 points, and Manchester City on 47 points!

It's mid-February, and promoted Marrest City is still in the top four of the league.

This incident was unexpected by everyone.

Before the start of the season, most people thought that Leicester City had been relegated under the leadership of "supernova" Ling Feng, and even stayed away from the relegation zone.

Now it's really away from the relegation zone, and it's all away from the third place in the league!

It's only four points away from second place in the league!

At the post-match press conference, the Guardian reporter also asked a somewhat pointed question:

"Mr. Pearson, does the team's current ranking show that the team has enough quality to pursue higher goals?"

Hearing this, Pearson seemed to have been prepared, and said in a deep voice:

"I'm very happy with the team's performance. However, our goal for the season from beginning to end is to be relegated! ”

Hearing this obvious answer of opening their eyes and talking nonsense, many reporters in the media room couldn't help but pout, and couldn't help but complain in their hearts:

Made!

You've all got 43 points, and you're still relegated here?!

"However, you have already got the regular relegation points, and relegation is basically not a problem."

"Then my players and I are happy to be able to achieve the goals set by the club. We're going to give it our all for every next game. ”

"Wait until the end of the season to see what's going to happen."

Of course, Pearson did not dare to shout any bloody slogans of "striving for the top six" and "fighting for the fourth" in public.

This will only raise the expectations of the public, fans and even the club's hierarchy, which will invisibly increase the pressure on coaches and players.

If the slogans and goals shouted cannot be accomplished, will it not disappoint everyone?

Besides, they were originally a promoted team, and being able to relegate would be considered a completion of the task.

No matter how high the ranking is, it is all a surprise.

It was the manager and the club who didn't put too much pressure on them that Leicester's dressing room atmosphere was so harmonious, and they were able to play every game as a whole, with a record and performance that amazed the outside world

However, in addition to the good news of finishing third in the table, there is also bad news.

That's the team's No. 2 striker, Argentine Ulloa, who has been out for at least six weeks due to a severe ankle sprain!

Six weeks!

Ulloa has made 15 appearances in all competitions this season, starting 10 of them and scoring five goals.

Although there are not many goals, the efficiency is very high,

Most importantly, when he's on the pitch, he's able to provide the team with tactical features that Vardy can't.

It can not only engage in hand-to-hand combat with the opponent's central defenders, provide the fulcrum of the frontcourt, but also take the ball with his back and shoot from a distance for other teammates.

This hard-working Argentinian is not the absolute main force of the team, but he is definitely a very important part of Leicester City's midfield attack!

And Wood, who came off the bench in the last game, has proved with his performance that he is not enough to take on the responsibility of this team's single arrow.

But who can say for sure about injuries?

After a long season, the fierce pace of the game and the confrontation are a great test of the players' physical fitness and body.

Team injuries can have a significant impact on a team's league record.

That's why the Premier League champions tend to be giants with a lot of depth in their squads.

Because, in addition to the starting lineup, the strength of their bench lineup is not bad.

When the starters are injured, they can rise up in time, and the overall strength of the team will not be weakened too much.

And Leicester City's opponent in the next round of the league is the "Gunners" Arsenal, who once created the myth of undefeated championships, but in recent years, because of the lack of depth in the squad, the chain has been repeatedly dropped!

It is worth mentioning that after 24 rounds of league games, Arsenal has finally returned to their exclusive position.

That's fourth in the league!

It's a matchup between third and fourth in the league!

It's a classic six-point battle again!

Four days later, Ling Feng and his teammates took the team bus to the Emirates Stadium in North London!

Looking through the car window, looking at the premier modern stadium in London and even England, Ling Feng thought of Wenger's difficulty.

I don't know how many piggy banks the professor smashed and how many main players and captains of the team were sold.

Of course, after the establishment of the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal also benefited a lot, and their income rose sharply.

In the past two years, the team's finances have improved, and Wenger is finally able to stop staring at those little (color) demons (tickets), but buy some high-end goods in the market!

In the past two summer windows, Arsenal have made big moves.

For example, the former Real Madrid European assist king who joined the team last season, and the Chilean Sanchez, who just transferred from Barcelona this season!

It is worth mentioning that Sanchez's transfer is definitely Arsenal's most worthwhile deal in recent years!

This season, with the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal have a strong attacking point on the wings.

Former Barcelona winger Alexis Sanchez, nicknamed "The Thigh" by Arsenal fans, is at the peak of his career.

Since landing in the Premier League, he has immediately played a phenomenal performance!

Since the first 21 games of the Premier League, he has scored 12 goals and provided seven assists, scoring 19 goals alone.

Second only to the even more explosive Ling Feng!

He can not only break through with the ball on the wing, but also play delicate crosses and cuts with his teammates, and even cut inside when he needs to finish the game!

Coupled with the return of Theo Walcott, Arsenal's attack on the wing is much more fierce than at the beginning of the season.

And in this game, Arsenal, sitting at home, obviously intends to give Leicester City some color to see.

Although the fifth round of the FA Cup is due in a few days, it will be the main event that will be a direct rival for Champions League qualification!

'It's a contest between third and fourth in the league.

"This season, Leicester City's performance has been a surprise to everyone. Who would have thought that this would be a promoted team that has only returned to the Premier League after a decade"

And Wenger also said in the pre-match press conference that Leicester City's record and performance should be regarded as a strong team. I don't think they underestimate the team that beat them last season to win the FA Cup."

"The first leg between the two sides ended in a draw. And when it comes to the Emirates Stadium, can Leicester City get out of the way? ”

"Let's take a look at the starting line-ups for both sides."

As for Arsenal, the whole lineup has changed a lot compared to the first leg:

Colombian goalkeeper Ospina replaced Szczesny as the starter;

At the back, it is Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, and Bellerin;

In midfield, 34-year-old Czech veteran Rosicky got the chance to start.

He was partnered with French defender Coquelin, who replaced Arteta as the main midfielder, and Cazorla, the "third brother".

Slightly in the front is the dog, and the single arrow at the top is the "little tiger" Walcott!

As the Three Lions' youngest player to make his debut, Theo Walcott is Arsene Wenger's treasure.

The deepest impression of him is his super-fast speed like a tiger coming out of the cage!

Obviously, instead of starting Olivier Giroud as a central striker, instead sending Theo Walcott, Arsene Wenger's purpose is very clear.

It is hoped that the "Little Tiger" will use his speed to attack Leicester City's two tall but bulky central defenders, so as to find a shooting opportunity!

It is worth mentioning that Arsenal also have a 19-year-old who has made his mark this season.

This season, Spanish winger Héctor Bellerin, who joined the team four years ago, has been reused by Arsene Wenger.

Especially after French right-back Sagna moved to Manchester City on a free transfer, he filled the vacancy at right-back very well.

And with his wind-like super-speed and excellent forward assist ability, he has become a booster for Arsenal's attack on the right side!

And Leicester City basically sacrificed the strongest lineup!

However, what everyone didn't expect was that the trend of the game was surprising from the beginning

Arsenal kick off first.

In the first second of the game, Leicester City, as always, pressed forward and pressed.

And the Arsenal players also passed the ball all the way back to the feet of the central defenders.

Whether it is the Blue Foxes players on the field or the fans in the stands, you can see the entire Arsenal lineup, which suddenly dispersed.

The two full-backs stretched wide and even near the touchline.

The two midfielders, Coquelin and Rosicky, are constantly retreating in the middle to receive passes from the back.

Under the rapid passing of the backcourt, no matter how actively the Blue Fox actively pressed and pressed in the frontcourt, it looked like he was almost about to grab the ball, but he just couldn't grab it!

When the game was played in the second minute and 43 seconds, Arsenal central defender Koscielny suddenly made a through pass to find the vacant Rosicky.

Rosicky and Coquelin hit the wall with a one-two, and they were able to turn forward.

However, he only took two steps forward with the ball, looked up to observe the movement of his teammate in front of him, and sent a precise long pass over the top!

This long pass directly cracked the Blue Fox's high position and hit the gap behind the Blue Fox left-back Schlupp.

And Walcott, the "little tiger" who pulled the side, used his speed to directly eat Schlupp, who was chasing back, and took the lead in getting the ball.

And then it's a matter of going down without hesitation!

And at this time, the four-person group that was rushing in the front court, only Ling Feng sensed the danger and returned to the middle line!

It's just a pity that he can't do anything.

"Nice break!"

"Walcott is fast, and he's already hit the baseline!"

Turning his head to look at the situation in the penalty area, the little tiger immediately chose to cross the inverted triangle!

The flat and fast ball flew diagonally into the big penalty area, causing chaos in an instant.

Without waiting for Morgan to clear the ball in the first place, the forward Ergou flicked back with his left heel and passed the ball to Sanchez, who received the ball at the top of the arc of the penalty area.

The latter stops with his right foot and shoots!

The ball hung in the upper right corner of the goal, and with a bang, the net rippled white

When Schmeichel looked back, he saw that the ball had slipped off the net and slowly came to his feet.

In the next second, the Emirates Stadium erupted in deafening cheers!

And whether it is the visiting fans in the stands or the Blue Foxes players on the field, they are a little confused.

Yes?

That's a goal?

Less than three minutes into the game, Arsenal took the lead at the Emirates Stadium.

The whole process is smooth, and people can't help but sigh:

Beautiful!

This start can be said to be unexpected by many people.

However, strictly speaking, Arsenal's passing tactics just restrained Leicester City's high-level pressing!

Pressing high is not an end in itself, but a means.

The aim is to get the ball.

If the opponent's attack is not initiated from the back, then the high press is just thankless.

And it just so happens that Arsenal's tactic is passing!

The so-called passing control is to control the ball for the purpose and pass the ball as a means to firmly control the rhythm of the game at your feet!

Therefore, in pursuit of possession, Arsenal often do not easily play long passes from the back, but push forward with short passes.

However, with the foot skills of the Arsenal players, they are not afraid of grabbing at all!

What they train every day is how to get the ball out quickly and accurately, how to run open to receive passes from teammates, and so on

Therefore, once you can run aggressively off the ball, pull the space, and the midfield retreats to respond, you can take the ball out of the front court.

Once the ball is transferred, you can use the space left by the opponent's formation forward pressure to pass a precise ball behind you, or play a simple and efficient pass and cut to quickly hit the opponent's backcourt, so as to kill with one blow!

And that's how the first conceded goal was born!

In the world of football, there is no such thing as the best tactic, only the best tactic for the team.

Whether the team's tactics can be implemented in place also depends on the level of the players on the field and the proficiency of this set of tactics.

You must know that Leicester City's real use of high pressing tactics only started after promotion to the Premier League.

So far, it has only been half a season, and the proficiency and execution of the entire tactics can only be said to be passable.

On the other hand, Arsenal's passing and control tactics are deeply rooted in the bones of this team!

Arsenal under Arsene Wenger will always be admirers of beautiful football!

The young demons in the formation came and went, and what remained unchanged was the fast passing and cutting style of play!

In last season's FA Cup final, Arsenal was a little light, and coupled with an accidental injury to the dog, it led to a draw.

Thus going to a penalty shootout and losing the game.

Having learned the lessons of the FA Cup final and the first-leg draw, Arsene Wenger has taken a look at Leicester's high pressing tactics and made a series of targeted tactical arrangements.

And this blitzkrieg goal after the opening shows that his tactical arrangement is feasible!

It is worth mentioning that after the goal, the live director also aimed at the reaction of the two managers:

Wenger, dressed in a suit, stood on the sidelines, holding his chest with his hands on his shoulders, calm and relaxed;

In contrast, Leicester City coach Pearson frowned and discussed the situation on the field with the assistant coach with a serious face.

The language of the lens is self-evident

(End of chapter)