Leicester City v Arsenal. December 4th. 1999. Preview,

The Wenger Boys Are Coming

Peter Gilbert 28.11.99.

Who'd have thought when the fixture list was revealed in August that when we played Arsenal at home we would be playing for a pre Christmas place in the top three of The Premiership, but such has been our form of late that that is exactly what we are playing for.   The longer MON and his team play in this league the more at home and the more competitive they become.   We are now in the position where we honestly feel we can win any game that comes along. Not that we are complacent, we continue to live on the edge which is a healthy way to ensure survival.
It is now the end of November;we have 29 points - an amount that has taken us until January or February in the last three seasons that have seen us end up in the top 10 so this year we could be forgiven for realistically hoping for more.   I'm sorry to keep going on about it but I would refer you to my pre-season article entitled 'Route 66' a points tally that would qualify us for a European qualification. I'm pleased to report that if you look at the graph we are ahead of schedule.
We are undefeated at home this season and if we are to hold on to 'Fortress Filbo' then our sternest test will be this coming Saturday when we entertain The Wenger Boys.
We have limited resources but this is the season to make the big shift from also rans to veritable aristocrats since all we have to do is to keep winning in one competition and our second foray into Europe in recent years will present itself to us.
You can't help but fancy our chances even if we are playing Arsenal, they're a good side but they're not totally convincing and on our day we could surprise them if we take our chances, concentrate for the full 90 mins.and cut out their shooting possibilities either in the form of free kicks or in open play.
The secret would be not to worry so much about them that we lose our own self belief. I won't point out possible danger men; they're all dangerous.

Match Forecast: Not a draw! It could be our day.

Did You Know?

1. Arsenal were formed in 1886 by workers of The Royal Arsenal and were originally called Dial Square. The side changed their name to Royal Arsenal and then Woolwich Reds before settling on Arsenal.
2.They've won lots of trophies lots of times, including two major European Trophies, but never 'The Big One.'
3.They have the longest unbroken run in the top league.
4. The are the only team in the world to have an Underground Station named after them.
5. Arsenal's record win was against Loughborough in 1900 and their record 8-0 defeat was against the same team in 1896. Would that have been Loughborough Brush - could anyone let me know?
6.Their all time record goalscorer was Ian Wright who netted 185 times for them in 7 seasons.
7. David O'Leary played 558 times for them - a club record.
8. During the 1990-91 season they were defeated in only one game out of 38 in the league, which is a top flight record this century.
9.The club's motto is Victoria Concordia Crescit which means victory through harmony(A bit like The Bee Gees)