Incredible Jamie Vardy statistic proves Leicester City can shock the world against Arsenal
Leicester City face a mammoth task of attempting to overhaul title-chasing Arsenal when the two sides lock horns on Saturday lunchtime.
Leicester were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United in the FA Cup last weekend and have lost eight of their last nine Premier League matches.
A fixture against a world-class Arsenal team is exactly what Ruud van Nistelrooy doesn’t need to get back on track, with the Gunners recently thrashing Manchester City.
Nonetheless, it’s still an opportunity for the Foxes to take a huge scalp on Saturday, securing what would be an unlikely victory.
And their chances of shocking the world hinge on the talents of Jamie Vardy. He’s Leicester’s top scorer this term with seven and has a history of producing in fixtures against Arsenal.
Jamie Vardy has scored more goals against Arsenal than any other club
Vardy famously rejected a transfer to Arsenal in 2016 when Arsene Wenger was in charge of the club. Leicester had just won the Premier League title and the Englishman’s head and heart were always in the King Power Stadium.
Ever since he turned down a move, he’s often come back to haunt the Gunners, scoring more goals (11) against them than every other club he’s faced.
Although Vardy’s record against Arsenal is excellent, he hasn’t scored against this weekend’s opponents in his last five meetings, netting the winner in a 1-0 victory at the Emirates in 2020/21.
Meanwhile, the 38-year-old has also found the net in just one of his previous eight Premier League outings, with his form and Leicester’s trending in the wrong direction.
What Arsene Wenger said after Vardy rejected Arsenal
It would be a special moment this weekend if Vardy could roll back the years and haunt Arsenal in this fixture once more.
Back in 2016, it was Wenger who was looking to haunt the Premier League champions by signing their talisman.
The Frenchman was desperate to sign the striker and Arsenal even activated Vardy’s £20 million release clause.
However, after rejecting a move to North London, Wenger wished the Englishman well, respecting the decision to turn down his advances.
“I think Leicester have made a statement and Vardy will stay. We were on the case and interested, but not more than that,” Wenger said via Sky Sports.
“He has decided to stay at Leicester and good luck to him. “He came late to the game and in fairness, Leicester bought him from Fleetwood and he has been successful. He is 29 and he has chosen to stay at Leicester. You have to respect that.”
Vardy has gone on to score an incredible 198 goals in 487 appearances for the Foxes and is now closing in on the 200 mark.
