Arsenal will return to Premier League action on Saturday when they travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City.
Mikel Arteta’s side have bounced back strongly after a disastrous start to the season. Arsenal are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions and enter this contest on the back of a 2-0 win over Leeds United in the League Cup.
The Gunners’ recent form has lifted them off the bottom of the table and into 10th spot, just three points behind West Ham United, who occupy the final Champions League place. A win on Saturday would move the north London club provisionally up to fifth.
The last time Arsenal and Leicester locked horns, the Gunners ran out comfortable 3-1 winners thanks to goals from David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe.
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Arteta made wholesale changes for the League Cup clash against Leeds, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsdale among the players who were rested. The trio are likely to return to the Arsenal lineup against Leicester.
Arteta will be sweating over the fitness of defender Ben White, who had to be withdrawn in the second half against Leeds United due to illness.
Granit Xhaka is unavailable for the game due to a knee injury, while Kieran Tierney remains a doubt with an ankle problem. Martin Odegaard was not named in the matchday squad against Leeds but he could return for this clash.
PREDICTED ARSENAL LINEUP vs LEICESTER CITY (4-4-2)
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale will return in goal for Arsenal, replacing Bernd Leno, who had a decent outing against Leeds. Ramsdale has firmly established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice since arriving at the club this summer, keeping five clean sheets in eight games in all competitions.
Defenders
With Tierney expected to miss out once again, Nuno Tavares should start at left-back. The buccaneering full-back has impressed during his short stay at Arsenal so far.
After being rested in the win against Leeds, Takehiro Tomiyasu should return to the Arsenal lineup for the trip to Leicester, replacing Cedric Soares.
If Ben White is passed fit, he will undoubtedly partner Gabriel at the centre of the defence. However, if the Englishman misses out, the other centre-back spot is a toss-up between Rob Holding and Pablo Mari.
Midfielders
It remains to be seen if Arteta will stick with the 4-4-2 system that worked so well against Aston Villa last time out or if the Spaniard will revert to his trusted 4-2-3-1. Odegaard’s availability will play a huge role in Arteta’s decision.
In any case, Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga will occupy the two central midfield spots. Partey scored his first Arsenal goal in the win against Villa and the former Atletico Madrid man appears to be finding his best form.
Nicolas Pepe produced another dismal display against Leeds and he should make way for Bukayo Saka on the right flank.
Emile Smith Rowe was brought off shortly after the hour mark against Leeds presumably to keep him fresh for the weekend’s trip to Leicester, and he will start from the left once again.
Attackers
Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will partner each other upfront. The Frenchman has added plenty of energy and fluidity to the Arsenal attack in the last couple of games and even found the score-sheet against Crystal Palace.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Leicester City
Aubameyang has failed to set the league on fire this season, but he will hope that his goal against Villa can spark a turnaround in fortunes.
