Leicester City have managed just three points from a possible 18 since their return to the Premier League, and Steve Cooper is already feeling the heat as pressure mounts following their winless start.
Despite showing moments of promise, the Foxes’ failure to secure a victory in the league has raised alarm bells.
A tough week saw Leicester draw 1-1 with Everton in the Premier League before a lacklustre 0-0 draw against League Two side Walsall in the Carabao Cup.
Things went from bad to worse when they suffered a heartbreaking 4-2 defeat away at Arsenal. The Gunners raced to a 2-0 lead by half-time, but a spirited fightback from Leicester saw James Justin score twice to level the match in the second half.
Yet, two goals in stoppage time from Arsenal cruelly denied Leicester a much-needed point.
Despite the struggles, Leicester are hovering just outside the relegation zone, saved only by goal difference.
Fellow promoted clubs Southampton and Ipswich Town are also yet to secure a win, and Leicester face both of them in their next four fixtures, which will likely define their season.
Gary Lineker, the Match of the Day presenter and Leicester’s most famous supporter, weighed in on the club’s chances of survival on The Rest is Football podcast.
He noted the importance of the upcoming games, saying, “You don’t really judge Leicester on the game at Arsenal. The next four fixtures are all against teams that are in similar areas, so I think we’ll learn a little bit more from that.”
Despite the winless run, Lineker remains cautiously optimistic: “None of the promoted teams are getting whacked, which is unlike last season. Sheffield United and Burnley in particular were getting hit for big scores.
“Leicester have spirit, togetherness, and talent—there are some good players in that squad. It’s going to be tough, but they’ve got a chance.”
The next four games will be critical for Cooper and his team, as they face Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, and Ipswich.
These are matches that Leicester must view as winnable, but with the added pressure that any dropped points will benefit their relegation rivals.
Six points from the 12 available may be seen as a respectable return, but the margin for error is slim. Defeats in any of these matches could significantly damage Leicester’s survival hopes and Cooper’s position at the club.
Leicester supporters will hope their team’s resilience against Arsenal can be a springboard for better results.
If they can channel that fighting spirit into the upcoming fixtures, there is still a chance they can turn their season around.
However, the next few weeks could be decisive for both the club’s Premier League future and Cooper’s tenure at the helm.