Ricardo Aware Of Arsenal’s Intelligence

- Ricardo Pereira speaks of Arsenal’s quick-thinking ahead Sunday’s Premier League clash at King Power Stadium (12pm kick-off)
- The Portuguese says the Foxes will expect a different challenge to the one they faced during October’s 1-0 win at Emirates Stadium
- Live and free coverage of the match begins at 10:30am on LCFC Radio’s Matchday Live

While the north London outfit currently occupy 11th position in the Premier League table, they will be buoyed by Thursday’s comeback victory over Benfica, which saw them advance in the UEFA Europa League.

City, meanwhile, were beaten for the first time in seven games in all competitions by Slavia Prague, however they have only lost twice in their previous 17 matches and are flying high in the top-flight standings.

Ricardo, back in the side to good effect after a lengthy spell on the side-lines through injury, told LCFC TV ahead of the game: “We have to keep going with these results we are having.

“We want to keep going, to keep getting points against a difficult team that we will play for sure. It will be a difficult game, but we will do our best to take the three points.

“I think it will be a great game. They have a good team, good players. They like to have the ball and they have players that can change the game quickly.

“We have to be careful with that, but at the same time, we have to show our quality and do our best. We play at home, so we have to impose our game.”

City beat Arsenal away from home for the first time since 1973 back in October, courtesy of Jamie Vardy’s 80th-minute diving header, but Ricardo foresees an entirely different contest at lunchtime on Sunday.

“It will be a different game now against them at home, but we can remember what happened there,” he recalled. “It was a nice win with the goal at the end.

“We looked confident in that game. Before we controlled the game, we were comfortable knowing that we would create chances and maybe win the game, and that’s what we did.”

Undoubtedly disappointed to exit the Europa League on Thursday, Leicester’s latest Premier League match resulted in a valuable 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park last weekend.

Two quick-fire goals from James Maddison and Harvey Barnes saw City claim the points, and Ricardo admitted his side felt comfortable throughout, even when the hosts halved the deficit at the start of the second period.

He continued: “We know every game is difficult, it’s difficult to win. We have to suffer sometimes in the game – that’s what we did.

“In the first half, we dominated, but then the second half, we had to work more to play together and to be together, and to suffer a little bit. It’s always good to win and have the reward.

“They didn’t create any chances that I remember, so we had the game under control. Of course, in football, games change quickly, but I think we were in control and knew what we were doing. That’s why we looked calm.”

Against Dean Smith’s side, Ricardo operated in a more advanced right-wing position, and while it is not all that often City fans see him deployed that far up the field, it is not such a rarity for the Portugal star.

“It’s not new!” explained Ricardo. “When I was young, I used to play there all the time, so it’s just about getting back to the old days!

“No, it’s good. I played there, it’s easy with my team-mates helping. We play together, so we know each other.

“When you play at the back, you have to be more in position, and not put the team in a dangerous place, or go forward without thinking.

“It’s a little bit different than playing in the front, with more freedom. You are close to the other goal, so maybe have more chances.”

Having played eight games across January and February as part of his recovery from injury, Ricardo said of his recent form: “I tried to enjoy it before the injury, but now even more, because it was a lot of time outside of the field and seeing the game from the side-lines. Now, I try to enjoy it even more and be happy.”

All times GMT.