‘Pefect for us’: Rodgers suggests Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s decision played right into Leicester’s hands

Follow us on Google Discover

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has told BBC Sport that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s decision to push Granit Xhaka into a different role played directly into his side’s hands.

Leicester beat Arsenal 1-0, with Arteta utilising a new look 4-3-3 system to include Thomas Partey.

Xhaka played on the left-hand side of Arsenal’s midfield three, which made it more difficult for the Gunners’ conductor to get on the ball as much.

Leicester had Dennis Praet pressed right up onto the Swiss international.

And Rodgers feels that is part of the reason why Arsenal found it so difficult to break them down.

“We always felt we wanted to bring Jamie into the game at 60 minutes, to stretch the game behind,” Rodgers said.

“Arsenal’s quality and that of any top side you have to stay in the game. I like to deny space, but this Arsenal team press it high then space opens up for them. As it went on it worked out perfect for us.

“Our organisation could cope, Granit Xhaka coming to the side meant Dennis Praet could press him, but it was about closing the lines, concentrating and then playing through when we had the ball.”

Arsenal’s best passages of play generally came in the first-half, when David Luiz was still on the field.

Luiz was able to hurt Leicester from deep due to his ability in possession, but after the Brazilian went off it was an uphill struggle.

Arsenal just couldn’t find a route through Leicester’s defensive organisation and they were eventually made to pay when Jamie Vardy scored on the breakaway.