re: Leicester

The issue for Foxes against Arsenal is that Arsenal's play style is and has been for a bit, in essence, a perfect hybrid of the style teams are trying to emulate and the style that has been successful. They are a possession-based, pass-heavy team, but they rely much less on build up and more on speed out of pure necessity.

Instead of seeing tons of build up with triangles all over being used to shred defenses apart, you'll see Arsenal use the long ball and the width necessary for success in the Premier League. Barcelona's Tiki Taka just wouldn't work for the duration of the season because it's much more physical in England, and definitely not without the players they had when it was at its most gorgeous. Any tactic that involves tons of passing in the build up at a slow pace up the pitch would be met with physical defense leading to a really, really long season for them. That's why a lot of super talents struggle when they go to England. It's also why they haven't won much hardware, either. It requires a lot physically to survive a season and a consistently high level of play.

So, Foxes are facing an opponent who can pass you to death but has no problem booming down the pitch, either. That means it's tougher to break them on the counter when they play at their best, and it also means that they limit your chances on the counter due to their possession and ability to keep the ball limiting your attack dramatically when playing well. I mean, this seems ridiculous, but that's exactly what you would do on FIFA to beat all of the counter attacking teams that people play with so much. The best defense is to not let them have the ball.

So, really, it's all about what type of Arsenal we see. That's not due to Leicester not being skilled enough to beat an in-form Arsenal because I don't think they're a fluke. I just believe that an Arsenal who is playing well will be really tough to hit with the shock and awe I've seen them use to downright rustle some top clubs jimmies all season. The positive is that Leicester are literally sky high in confidence and chemistry right now, and that is probably the most important thing right now.

I believe they can beat Arsenal, but I think that it'll take them being very disciplined in defense and patient enough to keep Arsenal from making them desperate and chasing the ball. If they keep their cool and let the chances come to them, they'll have a great chance.