Arsenal will welcome newly promoted side Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium in a crucial Premier League encounter this afternoon.
The Gunners were very close to clinching a famous victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium despite playing with 10 men for the whole second half last weekend but they eventually came away with a single point courtesy of John Stones’ late equaliser.
Following that result, the North London club are currently fourth in the Premier League table with 11 points from five games. The good sign is that Mikel Arteta’s side have already faced a few tough fixtures like Tottenham away, Aston Villa away and Manchester City away but they are still unbeaten in the league.
Team news
Arsenal have been without Mikel Merino and Takehiro Tomiyasu due to their respective injury problems this season. Although the duo is edging closer to full fitness, they are unavailable for selection today.
David Raya, Jurrien Timber and Ben White were out from the midweek’s Carabao Cup victory over Bolton Wanderers. But, the trio should return to the matchday squad in this fixture.
Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with an ankle issue. However, Leandro Trossard is available to play after serving a one-match ban in midweek having picked up a red card last weekend.
Predicted line-up
Arteta fielded a second team in midweek but all the first-team players should return to the starting eleven today. Therefore, Raya should be in goal and Neto may have to wait a bit longer to make his Arsenal debut.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes should return to the heart of Arsenal’s backline, while Timber and White should be the fullbacks. Therefore, Calafiori may return to the bench despite scoring an excellent goal against Man City last weekend.
Thomas Partey should commence in the holding midfield position following a rest in midweek and alongside the Ghanaian, Declan Rice is likely to start having scored a goal last time out.
Trossard would be in the attacking midfield position therefore, Ethan Nwaneri is expected to be among the substitutes despite scoring a brace in midweek.
Gabriel Martinelli is set to be on the left flank, while Bukayo Saka should be on the opposite side. Kai Havertz is likely to commence in the centre-forward position and Gabriel Jesus is set to make room for him.
Predicted Arsenal line-up vs Leicester
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice, Trossard; Martinelli, Havertz, Saka
