Ndidi: Positive Arsenal Result Would Be A Boost
- Wilfred Ndidi previews Leicester City’s trip to Arsenal on Saturday (3pm kick-off)
- The Foxes drew 2-2 in their opening game with Brentford last week
- It was a disappointing end but City are now focused on the next test, he says
- The midfielder is close to reaching his peak fitness level after injury
Arsenal will welcome the Foxes to Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon for a 3pm kick-off in north London, as Brendan Rodgers’ side go in search of a victory in their first away encounter of 2022/23.
Although it was Mikel Arteta’s men who came out on top when the teams last met in the capital, a sole Jamie Vardy goal sealed a memorable three points for the visitors in 2020, a past experience that Ndidi believes the team can draw on.
The Gunners, who were victorious in their maiden fixture, defeating Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park, will undoubtedly provide another tough test to negotiate, however.
Speaking to LCFC TV from the team’s base at LCFC Training Ground, the midfielder commented: “Every game is a difficult game – home or away – as long as you’re playing any team in the Premier League. It just depends on your tactics and is based on what you are going to present in the game and the way you go about it.
“I think it’s one of those games where you go there, and anything can happen. If we stick to our tactics and then do everything properly, I think we can get something out of the game.
“It was a good win for them (vs. Palace), and I think they’ll have the confidence now. So, it’s just for us now to look for our confidence. If we can get something out of this one, it is very good for the confidence moving forwards.
“Of course, Arsenal is a big team. As players, we know every game we want to achieve a certain goal. We have our aims this season also and for every game we know we have to do our best to get something out of it. So, I think it’s another game that we look forward to and see what comes out of it.”
Leicester looked on course to record a perfect start against Brentford at King Power Stadium, leading by two goals early in the second half, before the Bees’ late comeback ensured it would be honours even between the sides.
For Ndidi, who had carried an injury during pre-season but came through 90 minutes on Sunday, it was a frustrating end to a largely positive performance in front of the home support.
The 25-year-old explained: “It was really disappointing because we were really good in the game, 2-0 up, and then their goals just changed the game entirely. When you’re doing well and then all of a sudden it just doesn’t go the way you wanted, it was a sad one for me.
“It felt like we’d lost the game. We did play well, we stuck to the tactics, and everything was going smoothly until they got the second goal and then it just didn’t go our way. I’ve still been thinking about the game a lot and it’s making me feel bad.
“I feel my fitness level is still not at the peak, but I think it’s coming through and once it’s there, you will definitely see.”
All times BST.