Arsenal’s unbeaten streak faces Reds’ test Leicester set for emotional return after loss of owner
PREMIER LEAGUE On a 13game unbeaten run, the Gunners will play hosts to the challenge of Klopp’s men
Handed an unforgiving start as Arsenal’s first new manager for nearly a quarter of a century, Unai Emery has quickly put defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea behind him with a 13-game unbeaten run to earn the respect of the Gunners’ support.
However, the real test of how far Emery’s Arsenal have evolved since being outclassed by City on the opening weekend of theseasoncomeswhenLiverpool travel to the Emirates on Saturday. Arsenal have won 12 of those 13 games unbeaten, the only slip coming at Crystal Palace last weekend when they conceded two penalties in a 2-2 draw.
Yet, they haven’t faced any of the Premier League’s top-6 from last season in that run with defeats of Watford and Everton their only victories over sides in the top half of the table.
Emery still seems to be searching for the right balance while also getting two star centre-forwards in Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang into the side.
Lacazette and Aubameyang have already combined for 14 goals between them this season and their firepower has so far got Arsenal out of trouble, particularly late in games with Emery’s men yet to enjoy a half-time lead in the Premier League.
LONDON:
in sorrow following the death of owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, griefstricken Leicester will make an emotional return to action at Cardiff on Saturday.
Thai billionaire Vichai was among five people killed when his helicopter crashed outside Leicester’s King Power Stadium following last Saturday’s match against West Ham. The tragedy rocked the football world with Leicester’s stunned players joining mourners, who turned the King Power into a shrine with flowers and tributes to the charismatic Vichai.
With his vast investment and boundless enthusiasm, Vichai was the inspiration for Leicester’s incredible Premier League title triumph as 5,000-1 outsiders in 2016. While results on the pitch pale in comparison to the trauma of Vichai’s death, Claude Puel’s side will play this weekend for the first time since the crash.
Tuesday’s League Cup home game against Southampton came too soon for Leicester, who postponed the tie to allow more time for the city to come to terms with the accident. But they have agreed to play the Premier League fixture in south Wales in a bid to start the healing process.
A minute’s silence will be observed before kick-off at the Cardiff City Stadium and players will wear black armbands in Vichai’s honour.
“Playing football has not been on our minds this last week but for this weekend and all matches after we will play to honour and remember a man who did so much for our club,” Puel said. “The result is not important, but our desire to give our best to honour our chairman, that is the most important thing.”
LONDON:United
VARDY’S URGE
Jamie Vardy has urged his Leicester teammates to honour the memory of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha as they prepare to return to action.
Vardy and his Leicester teammates have posted regular messages online, paying tribute to the man they called ‘The Boss’, and the former England man has opened up about how he found out about the accident.
“I was just on my way home with my wife and kids and I got the news. Obviously straight away it’s shock and you can’t really believe it’s happened,” he said. “We need to make sure we go out there and honour his name and put in a performance that will hopefully get the win.”