CLAUDIO WRITES A NEW TALE
LEICESTER CITY boss Claudio Ranieri believes in fairytales. He saw his fantastic Foxes win the Premier League title last season before his very eyes. But he now admits his team’s triumph was a fairytale. And the Italian (below) faced Arsenal at the King Power Stadium last night admitting that this campaign will have a more realistic feel. There was immediate evidence of that with the defeat last Saturday against a club who are supposed to be in crisis – Hull. The Leicester boss, 64, told CNN: “We won the title and it was fantastic – but it was a fairytale. “Now, break it up and put it behind us because now we have to start the true story. “Forget what we achieved and start again.” Ranieri added: “We want to be the same at the end of this season. “We want to stay strong but we know it will be more difficult. “That’s because all the teams are awaiting us, while last season we were a surprise. “The new season will be harder than the last one, of course, but I’ve changed the battery and now I’m ready to start again.” So, we await the next far-fetched story from Hans Christian Ranieri! The Footballer of the Year, who rejected a move to the Emirates after Arsenal met a £20million buy-out clause in his contract, was wasteful at Hull last weekend. And last night he missed the best chance of the match, shooting wide when in the clear. That guaranteed a stalemate which at least gave both sides their first point of the season. And it might have been more for Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri in his 100th match as a Premier League manager, as his side were denied a clear penalty two minutes from time. Substitute Ahmed Musa went down after tangling with Hector Bellerin but failed to win a spot-kick. If the Foxes went into their first home match of the season with an inferiority complex, despite being the champions, it was understandable. After all, they had failed to register a win against Arsenal in their previous 19 Premier League matches – and now it is 20. Last season Arsenal did the double over Leicester as well – including a 5-2 win at the King Power Stadium. So perhaps it was no surprise HENRIKH MKHITARYAN quickest hasn’t made the of starts at Manchester £26million United but the signing from Borussia certainly taken Dortmund has some speedy possession of 27, has wheels. The Armenian, white had a £250,000 Lamborghini Aventador delivered to United’s Carrington training HQ. when the Gunners dominated possession from the start with their slick-passing style.
One fine move looked like producing a goal as Leicester were opened up on their left.
Bellerin burst forward and produced a low cross which looked like reaching the unmarked Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the far post.
But Leicester captain Wes Morgan, as he did so often last season, made a vital interception.
The lively Oxlade-Chamberlain also shot just wide – only a minute after Francis Coquelin was booked for a late challenge on Vardy.
And Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel had to react quickly to divert a Santi Cazorla free-kick – delivered from the left flank – to safety.
The ball had looked like travelling straight into the far corner of the net.
Leicester found it hard to create openings, so Riyad Mahrez attempted a long-range curling effort w was held cleanly by Arsenal keeper Petr Cech. But they were furious when they weren’t award penalty three minutes from half-time. Cech saved at the feet of Vardy after a long pass f Mahrez but the ball rolled to Danny Drinkwater, appeared to be brought down by Laurent Koscielny. Referee Mark Clattenburg felt Koscielny had pl the ball and his view seemed to be supported by evidence. Leicester were more positive in the second half Mahrez sent a free-kick just over. And Vardy should have given the F the lead in the 69th minute when he r clear but failed to hit the target. Arsenal had to rely more on cou attacks in the second half and saw Schmeichel race out of his and clear with a diving heade deny Alexis Sanchez a chance. Ranieri refused to make a about being denied a penalty. The Leicester boss said: “I d know if they were penalties. I am a manager who says: ‘It WA penalty.’ For me it is only a pen when the referee whistles. “I thought the referee gave a very g performance. I am happy because we ga good performance against a good team.”