Mesut Ozil says Arsenal it’s up to Arsenal to derail Leicester’s title challenge on Sunday after the Foxes opened up a five-point lead on their title rivals with eye-catching wins against Liverpool and Man City.
Claudio Ranieri’s side are now the bookies’ favourites to win the Premier League having carried their surprising 2015 form well into the new year.
Speaking after Sunday’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth – a win that helped the Gunners back up to third in the table – the German international admitted that Arsenal have a tough game ahead.
“It’ll be incredibly difficult to stop them. They were up 3-0 at Manchester City after 60 minutes. It’s brilliant what they accomplish with their team,” he told German wire SID.
“You have to have the greatest respect for that. Our job is to at least for now get Leicester off this unbelievable wave of euphoria.
“That Leicester lead the Premier League by this margin in February is one of the biggest surprises in the European top flights in the past few years.
He added: “We are now challenged to change that.”
Ozil isn’t the only Gunner on guard ahead of the game with Leicester. Hector Bellerin maintains that he and his teammates must take every one of the 14 remaining games seriously.
“I think for us, every single game is crucial,” noted the Spaniard. “We need to think game by game, it does not matter [who you play] and you need to get the three points.
Obviously, it is going to be one of the most important ones but you need to keep playing like that in every game.”
Ozil’s going to indulge in a spot of fox hunting.
Cup final for us. But Leicester have been playin most of their games as if it was a cup final for them. I hope Coq and elneny play in the middle with Ramsey on the right. That’s our strongest and hardworking team at this moment.
Ozil gives zero fuchs about their title push (thats German for foxes)
also leicester’s left back’s name
The banter was lovely
Don’t look so surprised Mesut.
For someone who physically looks like a rabbit in the headlights, Özil’s playing style must surely remind us not to judge a book by its cover.
Comment hidden due to misguided over-playing of previous joke..
i sort of learnt that lesson when i was around 7 years old.
Ummmmm anyone think the more we talk about Leicester the more pressure it’s putting on everyone? They’re a fragile bunch at the best of times
Overly talking about our next opponent worked quite well last time around, see how the pressure got to Benik Afobe? Mind games season baby!
Afobe got no service because of our effective defence hence the number of long shots their midfielders had. I think you’re reaching mate.
As good as Vardy and Mahrez have been, it’s Ozil and Alexis….they’re going to be the key men in this title run I’m sure of it.
You have to fancy Ozil and Alexis against the tactical wit of Morgan and Huth
When I think of Huth I’m reminded a bit of Hodor from Game of Thrones. I just imagine him jogging around the training pitch only able to shout “Huth… Huth… HUUUUTTHHH” to his bewildered team mates.
Give the Huth credit where it’s due, though, as his header against Sp*rs was a freakish thing of beauty.
HUTH
We’ve already put five past them once this season, have no doubt we’ll be able to do it again at home
Earlier in the season they were playing an all out attack style, just wave after wave, leaving themselves really open so they were conceding a lot of goals. With that kind of space, players like ozil and alexis will slice anyone open. They’re a lot more defensively solid now hitting teams on the counter effectively while keeping defensive shape. I don’t think we can expect the same kind of game
“Why sky should be the limit when there are footprints on the moon” (Mathieu Flamini)
Double-footed prints*
If it was a few years ago, when we were fighting for the 4th place trophy, I would have been pleased to see Leicester lead the title challenge.
No team/manager have finished above Wenger without spending more, lot more than us. So, this is going to be interesting.
Sorry non Arsenal related..
Messi suffering from kidney problems – a side effect from being pumped full of growth hormones as a kid?
You do know that the growth hormones he was given are what your body should normally produce but his body didn’t. If it were a side effect then nobody’s kidneys would function
My uncle had growth hormones as a child (too many, as it goes) and never had problems of that sort.
Assuming this is just a theory of yours?
I was just throwing it out there, no theory from me! I like to spark a discussion that’s all..
You’ve been trying too hard sparking a discussion. You’ve even sparked the discussion with yourself.
I think it’s it kidney stones, loads of people have them
Oooh I hope it gets arsenal related and he’s confirmed unfit to play. That said, wishing him a speedy recovery after we qualify.
I made a Hormone… I didn’t pay her. LOL!
I usually just kick ’em in the shins.
This game will pan out 2 ways. Either we score early and end up beating them comfortably, or they score early and then beat us. If we score early, we can sit back and counter attack them, they sort of play into our hands with a 4-4-2. But if they score and we allow them to counter, we can be in for a disaster. It’ll be an exciting game nonetheless.
Exactly, hope Coqullin start and Gabriel keep his place.
Not sure about that bud, they are the comeback kings of the season.I hope our clean sheet run continues though.
You would hope the fact Leicester can afford to drop points and we can’t would mean we would at least have a bit more effort than they will. You know, mentally stronger.
you would hope…
Yeah. We must be wary of them. Leicester have played without any presssure all season which has been to their advantage. They are just content with what they have achieved so far. I hope we can do it. 2-1 to the gooners.
The force is strong in him.
Let’s not underestimate Leicester. FFS we couldn’t even win against Liverpool!
I agree 100%. I was one of those that mistakenly dismissed them earlier in the season, convinced they are just upstarts reaching beyond their level…….look where they still are, this time of the season? Any team that can beat Liverpool and ManCity, consecutively and in the same week definitely demands respect in my books!……and any team that ignores them now does so at their own peril friends. They don’t seem to want want to go away do they? We need to approach that match with the duly deserved respect, and mindset that we are playing a credible title rival AND… Read more »
Thankfully we didn’t underestimate them in the first game. Vital points and will give their players a few doubts on Sunday. Ranieri’s 2004 Chelsea side was beaten into second place by the mighty Arsenal, I don’t think Ranieri has ever beaten Wenger? Let’s take these 3 points.
I agree but Liverpool aren’t really a great example as we would have beaten them twice with decent officials.
Soton would have been a better example.
The better you are, the harder you fall against Arsenal. (And unfortunately vice versa)
The danger here is that Leicester are good in a way that doesn’t make them weak against Arsenal. They’re not a typical “try to go toe to toe with Arsenal” sort of “good” team. They are happy to destroy people on the break. Look at what they did to City.
The team needs to go back to basics and do what worked well in the early stages of the season. I hate the fact that any sign of pressure then it’s most likely the team will fold.
It really bugs me when a player starts saying they need to take games seriously. Do they usually sit around saying “Nah, let’s not bother trying to win this one”. If you’re getting paid £100,000+ a week for playing fucking football then it really should go without saying!
I wonder if AW is not for Ranieri what Mourinho is for AW. Even in his best years, Ranieri never could master Wenger. Of course, we all remember the CL defeat, but it was very special: Arsenal was totally exhausted (I remember vividly Pires being stolen of the ball and watching his opponent running the counter-attack without even trying to catch him back). But it is an exception. Ranieri has too much respect for Wenger, it is his weakness.
Arsenal will make it.
To be honest I ain’t reading too much into Sunday. It’s pointless, this season is too bonkers to try and predict. If we smash em by 5 I wouldn’t be surprised, and honest to god, I am Arsenal til I fucking die, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was the other way round either. I just fucking hope we win. But, if we lose, we’re not out of it. Other two play each other at 4, one of them at least has to drop points. We need to give ourselves a decent chance though, for fuck’s sake, start Coquelin. Decent… Read more »
Let’s also remember, they don’t have to win, a point for them is great. A point or 0 points for us however is a disaster. They should be treated like the best team in the league because currently, that’s what they are. Let’s make sure for this that attend this weekend, that we make it as loud as possible and make the 12th man count! COYG
The most important thing for them is that they don’t get any injuries to Mahrez, Kante or Vardy. Lose any one of them for a few games and they’ll struggle.
If we turn up we win.
If we’re even vaguely not there, Leicester won’t think twice about destroying us, the city game proved that.
Go on lad, let’s mess-ut Leicester’s title challenge. They’ll get o-zilch points against us.
Oh there’s my coat.
Vardy’d you even bother
yeah, i agree richie….he Mahrez well not have
Leicester City Football Club
Have confidence in the team. We have to play counter-attack. Soak & strike!! Alexis, Ox & Theo must start. Counter-attack with pace. Soak & attack….esp if we nick one early. Gonna be heart-stopping no doubt. I just hope not my heart that stops. COYG
2 teams playing ‘soak & strike’ will be interesting……
Less talk more goals!
Who do you think should play on the right? Campbell, Chamberlain or Walcott? Campbell is better with retaining possession and playmaking.
Chambo is more dynamic and has some more confidence after that awesome goal but he gives the ball away too much and his passing isnt great.
I think Walcott is now only an option for the SF position. If he ain’t replacing Giroud then he can stay on the bench!
I’d go Campbell. He retains possessing better while also offering an attacking option, however I love the fact that the ox is gradually finding some form. I’d start with Campbell and bring on the Ox if and when needed.
Yeah I reckon Walcott would be a good option to put on late(ish) in the game in place of Giroud
I assume we’ll be playing deep and counterattack to try and counterattack their counterattack (:)) In which case if we can let them chase the ball and tire themselves out Walcott would be a good bet.
it works better if walcott starts as cf to keep their defense back and create space in midfield. giroud is better when he comes on as a sub against a tired defence.
Tough one but Cambell for me, i think, given the fact that ox is just playing himself back to form. He is more reliable possession wise, equally as quick as chambo, (we will need that pace attribute from whoever plays, to help nullify the quick counter attacking football that Leicester is now known for), and of course, campbell puts in a better shift than chambo defensively. But i acknowledge, an in form ox will get my nod ahead of campbell, because when he is in form, he really is a handful for any team. but unfortunately, for me, he is… Read more »
Love the title of this piece “..to end Leicester euphoria”.
Mesut’s effectively saying we need to shut these fuckers down and, I couldn’t agree more.
It’s time to bring this wonderfully joyous footballing fable to an abrupt halt. I for one am getting increasingly pissed off with it all.
Yes Arsenal; another 5-2 performance please.
I have to say I think arsene will show them respect. Certainly in the big games this season we have become a lot more astute, I imagine we’ll have a plan. City, in contrast, pretty much played into their hands, think pellegrini could be accused of not doing tactics, certainly not at home. I imagine we’ll look to press high early on, get the lead and then sit back, light a few cigars and get them on the counter. Let’s be confident, COYG!
I agree that is what Arsene should do, but will he? City bombed forward with both fullbacks and were cut open viciously on the counter. It seems to me we have seen that movie many times before at the Grove. Leicester is uniquely adept at the counter-attacking game, so let’s not play to their strength. How about playing it a bit cagey, with some nous and heart, and if we need to change things up in the latter stages if it is still 0-0, we can always do that?
How about we come out all guns a blazing like we did against manure lol reminds me of the days we would finish a game in the first half and then kill the tempo in the second half to save energy for subsequent games!!!
12th man is so crucial on Sunday. Agree with some of the above comments about how we need to treat Leicester as the best team in the league…which means our fans must do too! Meaning that we REALLY need to have a voice throughout the whole game! Hope we come out flying from kick off!
Coquelin to replace flamini, Per should play instead of Gabriel for set pieces and Walcott should start on the right. Walcott should start this game Imo to show his worth.
Personally I don’t think this is a game for Walcott to show his worth we need our A-Listers at the moment and no doubts about any players.
Definitely an option to sub off Giroud and play Walcott late in the game.
No Walcott please!
Play Elneny the Egyptian to take care of Mahrez the Algerian.
wow. that’s…..wow.
Leicester are favorites heading into this game…we need to act like underdogs and be modest.
Gabriel must start, if not for anything but for the amazing stat of us having conceded only one goal (the 2-1 home win against everton) whenever he has played the full 90 minutes
Useless stat. He hasn’t played much.
I don’t think Arsene will have both full backs bombing forward ,Bellerin will but Montreal will be more withdrawn to counter counters. The Ox will be released amongst the Foxes as he can drift inside to become the extra midfielder at times and give Bellerin room outside him. Set pieces is a worry as I believe Gabriel may get the nod over Per for pace reasons. The only change I see as being crucial will be Cocquelin replacing Flamini as his positional play is better and his tackling is stronger and better timed . One in and one out from… Read more »
Yet when Coquelin came on, we were no more secure against Bournemouth. He misplaced a pass and lost the ball twice in the short period he was on. Flamini is criticised for a two footed challenge which Coquelin does all the time. Yet we do not publish the fact that he hardly misplaced a pass through the entire game. Granted I get the fact that Coquelin can cover more ground and would be better to start but Flamini has been better than many tend to think particularly in the use of the ball. All the gesticulation he does when you… Read more »
I agree with you on Elneny being an unknown quantity in the sense that the step up from the Swiss League is massive, but the guys got some good experience against EPL and other opposition in the Euro League. I can’t speak personally on his quality in these games but I’ve heard good things. Still it’s not the match to be playing. To be fair to Coq I don’t know many U-21 games he’s had to get up to full speed but I think we can forgive him a little rustiness in the Bournemouth game. He’s got great anticipation and… Read more »
Long live the counter counters!
This is a big one as much as the City game and Olympiakos.
If we remember, even the much recently criticised Rammini carried us through both games.
Simply put, the players on hand have it to win it but do they have the right frame of mind or are they going to be cowed by the ocassion?
We need to win this pure and simple. Only then would we have a chance at the title. Otherwise we are out. That’s the way we need to approach this.
This is exactly the kind of mentality we need from our players. There’s no room for sentiment for the underdogs.