Skip to content

Aaron Ramsey admits Leicester success is refreshing, but hopes it ends against Arsenal

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Aaron Ramsey explains why Arsenal have to beat Leicester on Sunday to close the gap, otherwise they could be 8 points behind the leaders

Aaron Ramsey has described Leicester's success this season as "refreshing", but hopes their hold on top spot does not last long.

The midfielder goes up against the surprise leaders for Arsenal on Super Sunday at the Emirates, with five points separating the two sides.

Leicester were bottom of the Premier League this time last year, and though Ramsey admits their story has been an interesting one, he hopes Arsenal reduce the gap to two points on Sunday.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Aaron Ramsey explains why Arsenal have to beat Leicester on Sunday to close the gap, otherwise they could be 8 points behind the leaders

Ramsey also said that while Arsenal are wary of Leicester's attacking threat on the counter attack, they will not change their usual style.

He said on Soccer Saturday: "I think it has been quite refreshing, with the amount of money they have spent as well to have a team like them, bottom at one stage last season and top now. But hopefully they don't stay there for much longer. 

Henry's top-four combined XI
Henry's top-four combined XI

Thierry Henry picks his combined XI from Leicester, Arsenal, Tottenham and Man City...

"We have to be aware of their threat in behind on the counter attack. That's the biggest thing they do, they like to sit off and then they like to break at pace. 

"We're going to have to be very careful about that because they have very quick players in their team who can be dangerous on their day.

Also See:

Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City
Image: Leicester sit top of the Premier League by five points from Spurs and Arsenal

"But we're Arsenal, we like to play the way that we do, which is dominate the ball while trying to express ourselves, trying to break them down that way. Hopefully we can do that on the day.

Leicester are 15/8 favourites with Sky Bet to win the title, ahead of Arsenal at 2/1, but Ramsey says the Gunners take no notice of the odds. 

Claudio Ranieri's Leicester were touted by many as favourites to go down at the start of the season, and Welshman Ramsey adds that the pressure is off them heading into the final 13 games of the season.

Laurent Koscielny celebrates after scoring for Arsenal against Newcastle
Image: Ramsey (R) says the pressure is off Leicester going into the final 13 games of the season

"I don't know what the odds are at the moment, but we're nothing about anything like that. We have to go into this game and do our bit to close the gap. Then it's game on, two points in it with over 10 games to go.

"The only thing that works in their favour is that they have no pressure to go on and win the Premier League. 

"If they don't win it they've still had a great season. With a club like us there is always pressure to go and win games, win trophies, but we're used to that pressure."

Live Ford Super Sunday

Around Sky