Less than ten minutes into the game, the Leicester City players felt very tired.
This opponent is too strong.
Yes, too strong.
Even though they have played against Manchester City and Chelsea before, they have never been as tired as today.
Manchester City players have top-notch midfield control, and Leicester City's defense is under great pressure.
Chelsea's three-line connection is great, and the wing attack is sharp, which consumes a lot of physical energy for Leicester City.
But today, they felt like they were punching cotton.
This opponent didn't even have any physical contact with them .
Repeated passes were all involving Leicester City's defense line to run with them, which was very passive.
Even though Xia Xing's prediction and tackle were in place, Rosicky's pass was more exciting.
Sure enough, he was called the midfield master who "if it weren't for injuries, his skills would be at the same level as Zidane's."
Pearson was also under great pressure on the sidelines.
Fortunately, he asked the players to stabilize at the opening in the locker room and then look for offensive opportunities.
Even so, their defense was very difficult.
Pearson waved his hands vigorously toward the pitch, calling the players' names and making two special gestures.
Soon, the players received confidence.
The two left and right full-backs De Laet and Moore moved slightly closer to the middle, and James and Mahrez also retreated a little in the offensive range.
Leicester City's team's offensive and defensive system became more concentrated.
Facing Arsenal's fierce attack at the beginning, Leicester City did not force it.
Although everyone in the team is full of confidence in this game, everyone also understands the gap in strength between the two sides.
You must not shout slogans in vain without considering the actual situation, otherwise you will be killed by Arsenal.
Even though Leicester City was prepared for the frontlines cooperation in this game, it still did not attack recklessly at the beginning.
During this period, it still relied on the fast and long pass counterattacks from the midfield to threaten Arsenal's goal.
Knockaert received the pass from Mahrez and his powerful shot was also very threatening, but it still missed the goal.
Leicester City's fast attack was fruitless.
On the other hand, Arsenal did not score any goals despite several wonderful cooperations.
As time went on, their offense also weakened a little.
On the football field, no team can go all out for 90 minutes, there must be intervals.
In this gap, it is a good opportunity for Leicester City!
Ramsey's ground shot on the penalty area line was punched out by Schmeichel, and the ball fell at the feet of left back De Laet!
At this time, most of Arsenal's players were in Leicester City's half!
It was a good opportunity to counterattack!
De Laet knocked the ball sideways and passed it to Drinkwater's feet!
Brother Drinking Water made a short pass forward!
The ball was controlled by Xia Xing!
Facing Arteta's pressing, Xia Xing knocked the ball sideways to the wing again!
James quickly inserted the ball forward!
and made a Diagonal pass without stopping the ball!
Xia Xing used his speed to pass Arteta's defense!
The released Another diagonal pass to the back point outside the penalty area!
Knockaert received the ball against offside!
He got a one on one chance!
Push the ball into the near corner of the goal!
"Szczesny blocked the ball with his foot!
"The Arsenal goalkeeper has done a great job!
"Perfect goalkeeping!
"Although there was no goal, this counterattack by Leicester City was very exciting!
"Arsenal's shot was punched out by Schmeichel,
"Leicester City launched a fast break from the back!
"The Continuous passes from the left were very clever!
"Finally, Knockaert's positioning was also very crucial!
"It's just that Szczesny's defense was too good to allow Leicester City to successfully score.
"I believe this defense will make Arsenal somewhat alert."
Leicester City's fast break did shock the Arsenal players a little.
Watching Leicester City's Championship games and games against Manchester City and Chelsea before, Leicester City's offense was very direct, and they rarely played this kind of continuous short passes.
What, do you also want to play some artistic football?
Hehehe.
After a brief shock, Arsenal continued their offensive mode.
In this game, Rosicky had a strong control in the midfield.
As a representative of the Czech golden generation, his passing imagination is simply unparalleled.
Ramsey also played a huge role in the midfield, with excellent passing and control, and a good shot to top it off.
Arteta's control of the field has a big effect.
The clever skills of Podolski and Cazorla put great pressure on Leicester City.
Giroud's supporting role in the middle is obvious.
Throughout the first half, except for a few counterattacks by Leicester City, Arsenal almost completely controlled the game.
Another fast break came to Arsenal, and Xia Xing knocked Rosicky down with a frontal tackle.
Although this tackle was very fierce, it was not a foul, and the ball was successfully intercepted.
However, when Rosicky got up from the ground, he felt a little pain in his ankle.
Although the impact was not great, he still felt uncomfortable.
How can this kid be so strong...
With Xia Xing's fierce defense, the Leicester City players continued to strengthen their defensive hardness.
In the midfield, Arsenal players frequently fell to the ground, and their offense was repeatedly interrupted.
In the 37th minute of the game, Ramsey had already passed the ball, but was still kicked in the calf by Drinkwater who was stealing the ball.
The referee blew the whistle!
Although he did not give a card, he warned Drinkwater.
Drinkwater smiled and waved his hands, saying that he did not mean it and would pay attention next time.
The referee did not say anything else.
However, the successive fierce defenses affected Arsenal's offense.
Since Xia Xing's defense, his teammates seemed to have had some inspiration.
Even if Arsenal players passed the ball, they continued to physically collide with players without the ball.
It was called inertia.
The scene seemed a bit rough, but this is the style of the Championship teams.
Arsenal fans booed in the stands, but the Leicester City players did not care.
We did not commit a malicious foul, but just a reasonable collision, why are you booing?
In the second minute of injury time in the first half, Rosicky's direct free kick slipped out of the goal.
Arsenal finished the last shot of the first half.
The referee blew the whistle and the first half was over.
Neither side scored a goal.
Arsenal players returned to the locker room unwillingly.
Leicester City players also returned to the locker room with lingering fear.
The first half was too dangerous.
Back in the locker room, Pearson praised the performance of the whole team.
"Guys, you did a great job in the first half!
"We are halfway to success by shutting out Arsenal!
"We must continue to defend strongly in the second half,
"But don't miss the chance to counterattack.
"Your several quick attacks were very good,
"If it weren't for Szczesny's good luck, we would have scored a goal long ago!
"Vardy, Knockaert,
"In the second half, you should make more breakthroughs in the penalty area,
"Then give some scoring opportunities to the midfielders,
"Catch the opponent by surprise,
"We will definitely score a goal!"
(End of this chapter)