Arsenal will look to continue their rich vein of form when they host Leicester City at the Emirates on Monday. The Gunners are on a nine-game winning streak in all competitions and are favourites going into the game.
Leicester City, on the other hand, suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Everton in their last game and will be keen on bouncing back. However, considering Arsenal’s fiery form going into this game, the Foxes will be more than happy with a point.
Arsenal team news
Laurent Koscielny, Carl Jenkinson and Konstantinos Mavropanos are unavailable while Sokratis is doubtful, after sustaining a knock during the international break.
Petr Cech is also a doubt and his fitness will be assessed ahead of the game. Danny Welbeck has returned to training might not feature.
Predicted Arsenal lineup
Defence
Bernd Leno will continue to start in goal for Arsenal with Petr Cech still unavailable for first-team selection.
With Sokratis a doubt, we could see Rob Holding lining up alongside Shkodran Mustafi in central defence. Even though Holding has featured in only 231 minutes of league action this season, he has looked a better player than he was last season, having averaged almost five clearances and over one interception as well as winning 2.7 aerial duels per game.
Hector Bellerin will be deployed as the right-back as usual, with Nacho Monreal occupying the opposite flank, ahead of Sead Kolasinac.
Midfield
Arsenal head coach Unai Emery will resort to his trusted midfield duo of Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira, who could play a key role in this encounter given Leicester City’s strength in midfield.
The Foxes possess the likes of Wilfred Ndidi and James Maddison and thus, Torreira’s work-ethic in midfield could prove to be important for the Gunners.
Attack
Although Aaron Ramsey pulled out of the Wales squad during the international break, Unai Emery confirmed that he is available for selection on Monday. Thus, we expect the Welshman to be deployed as the attacking midfielder with Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang occupying the wider positions.
Aubameyang, in particular, could play a key role here, having attempted the second most number of shots for Arsenal this season.
And finally, the Arsenal attack will be led by the one and only Alexandre Lacazette. The Frenchman will be keen on extending his scoring tally having already plundered four goals in just eight matches this season.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
