LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on as Per Mertesacker of Arsenal walks off the pitch after receiving a red card during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Fear will motivate Arsene Wenger to change Arsenal team selection versus Leicester
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will change his team selection to adjust to Leicester City’s dangerous attack
Leicester City attackers Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have enough pace and skill to strike fear into the heart of any Premier League manager. Their latest intimidation is of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who will likely make a key change in his starting 11 to cope with the Foxes’ attack.
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Wenger’s preferred central back pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have played the vast majority of Arsenal’s matches together when fit this season. However, Mertesacker’s one-game ban for his red card against Diego Costa opened the door for Gabriel to play his way into the mix.
In fact, Gabriel performed so well during Mertesacker’s suspension that Wenger elected to start him for the next two matches as well. Now, with Mertesacker rested and fully fit, the German will expect to make his way back into the Arsenal starting 11 for their big match versus Leicester. The only thing is, he’s a terrible match-up against the Foxes’ attacking players.
Mertesacker is most vulnerable to forwards who are fleet of foot. Vardy might be the fastest number nine in England and Mahrez has pace to burn as well. They have the speed to light Mertesacker up by using their speed to get in behind the Arsenal centre back.
In contrast, Gabriel is much better suited to handle the pace that Leicester possesses. That is why Wenger is likely to stick with him, over the most experienced Mertesacker, on Sunday. What Gabriel lacks in experience, he makes up for in foot speed. Wenger will think that pace is worth more than guile against the Premier League leaders.
The Arsenal boss will undoubtedly blow off questions about the change. He’ll try to minimize the choice as much as possible to protect both players. The last thing he wants to do is have the media begin writing stories that Mertesacker isn’t good enough to play for the club anymore. Of course if you’re a regular reader of this site, you know that’s already begun.
No matter how Wenger tries to spin his choice to start Gabriel against Leicester, know that the truth is he’s making a decision based on his fear of the Leicester attack. Arsenal fans should hope he fears the speed of Vardy and Mahrez more than hurting Mertesacker’s pride. He must start Gabriel to give his team the best chance to win this weekend.
