'That's his space' - Pundit insists Partey scored against Leicester because Ndidi wasn't on the pitch

Published: March 14, 2022

BBC Leicester Sport summariser Matt Piper has pointed out that Ghana international Thomas Partey managed to score in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Leicester City in a Premier League clash on Sunday evening because Wilfred Ndidi wasn't on the pitch.

With an eye on the upcoming Europa Conference League tie against Rennes on Thursday, Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers opted to rest some of his key players including the Super Eagles midfielder.

Since returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty late January, the Nigeria number 4 had started every single game played by the Foxes - nine in total across all competitions - before the visit to the Emirates Stadium.

Eleven minutes into the contest between Arsenal and Leicester City, Partey found space and headed home from close range to open the scoring for the home team.

With Rodgers usually adopting a zonal marking system, Piper is of the opinion that Ndidi would have covered the area of the pitch where Partey headed the ball in.

"I tell you who was missing there, Wilfried Ndidi. That's his space [where Partey headed the ball in]," Piper said on BBC Leicester .

"If you defend like that you will ship plenty of goals."

The Foxes' defensive ability during set-pieces have been their weak spot this season, having conceded 14 goals from set-pieces, more than any other team in the division.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com

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