Riyad Mahrez: 'Leicester City still have nothing to lose'

Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez has admitted that the club's battle with relegation last season has helped them handle the pressure of challenging for the Premier League title.

With 13 fixtures remaining, Leicester hold a five-point lead at the top of the standings, less than 12 months after they were languishing at the bottom of the table and seemingly headed for the Championship.

However, despite holding a commanding position in the top flight, Mahrez, who has netted 15 times in the Premier League during the current campaign, feels that the club still have nothing to lose as they look to edge closer to what would be a remarkable achievement.

The 24-year-old told BBC Sport: "When you go through a moment and you are down and losing your head, it gives you a lot of experience. Now we get to test for first place. The mentality is not the same. Now we have nothing to lose.

"Last season, it was very difficult with a lot of pressure. This year it is a positive pressure. If we finish first it is a bonus. If we finish three or four then it is OK. Last year, if we go down into the Championship we can't do this, this year."

Leicester travel to third-placed Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.