Arsenal face another test of their top-four credentials when they host Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
After being written off at the start of the season, Mikel Arteta’s side have exceeded expectations in the second half of the campaign and are now in pole position to secure the final Champions League spot.
The Gunners have won eight of their last ten league games, including four in a row, to move up to fifth. They trail Manchester United by two points but have four games in hand.
Arsenal’s only cause for concern now is the fact that they have not won by more than a one-goal margin since their 5-0 thrashing of Norwich on Boxing Day.
Leicester, meanwhile, have punched well below their weight this season. The Foxes find themselves in 12th place and will have their work cut out in their bid to secure a top-10 finish at the very least.
⏳ Just three hours until kick-off!
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— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 13, 2022
The last time these two sides met, Arsenal eked out a 2-0 win at the King Power Stadium despite being second best for most of the contest.
Arsenal Team News
Arteta has almost a full squad at his disposal. Takehiro Tomiyasu is battling a calf problem and will be assessed before kick-off. He’s unlikely to play, but Emile Smith Rowe is back in contention after recovering from COVID-19.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Leicester City (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale has been one of the best-performing keepers this season in the Premier League. The England international has kept 11 clean sheets so far, but has not managed a shutout in any of his last three matches.
Defenders
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Leicester City
With Tomiyasu not yet ready to feature, Cedric Soares will keep his place at right-back. The Portuguese has impressed in Tomiyasu’s absence, although he did have a poor game against Watford last time out.
Gabriel and Ben White will continue their partnership in central defence. The Brazilian is prone to the occasional error, but is a solid presence in the Arsenal backline. White, meanwhile, has played every minute of Arsenal’s last 22 league games.
Kieran Tierney has rediscovered his best form after a slow start to the season and will continue at left-back.
Midfielders
Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey have developed a great understanding in central midfield over the last few games. Xhaka has excelled in a more advanced role of late, while Partey has shown flashes of the form that prompted Arsenal to sign him from Atletico Madrid for £45 million in 2020.
Martin Odegaard has made the No. 1o spot his own this season. The Norwegian is Arsenal’s most creative player by a distance.
Gabriel Martinelli should keep his spot on the left ahead of Emile Smith Rowe after scoring in the 3-2 win against Watford.
Bukayo Saka will start on the right once again, keeping Nicolas Pepe out of the side. Arsenal’s most exciting prospect in years, the Englishman has scored nine goals and provided five assists in all competitions this season.
Attackers
Alexandre Lacazette will lead the line once again for Arsenal. The Frenchman’s goal drought has extended to six league games, but he adds plenty of value to the side with his work rate and link-up play.
