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Preview: Leicester vs Arsenal, team news, line-ups & prediction

By on August 19, 2016
Laurent-Koscielny arsenal

Image credit: Express

Arsenal need to bounce back quickly from last weekend’s disappointing defeat when we take on Leicester City at the King Power on Saturday night.

As predicted, our inexperienced centre-backs got exposed last week and we slumped to a 4-3 defeat at the Emirates meaning we’ve now lost three of our last four opening weekend fixtures with all of those defeats coming at home.

The squad is clearly not being prepared correctly and it’s something that needs to be addressed, and understandably Wenger is under increasing pressure from a disgruntled fan-base.

However, right now we need to pick ourselves up and get a positive result at Leicester as successive defeats would be a devastating blow and only fragment the supporters even further.

The good news is that Leicester were very average during their 2-1 defeat at Hull last week and we beat them both home and away last season so should be confident of getting a result at the King Power.

Team News

Ramsey has been ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury that he suffered against Liverpool while Iwobi is also out until after the international break with a thigh problem.

Thankfully Arsene has hinted that he’s ready to take a gamble on Koscielny and start him despite the fact he’s only had two weeks pre-season training. However, he suggested that Ozil and Giroud may only be on the bench as it’s too great a risk to gamble on all three.

Gabriel, Mertesacker, Jenkinson and Welbeck are all still out with long-term injuries but Wilshere will be pushing for a start after getting another weeks training under his belt.

This will come as no surprise to anyone, but Leicester have a fully-fit squad to choose from. Again.

BACK ARSENAL TO WIN AT ENHANCED ODDS OF 8/1

Preferred line-up

Summer signing Xhaka was on the bench last weekend but I hope we see him from the start tomorrow alongside Elneny. Cazorla and The Ox should come in for Ramsey and Iwobi while it looks like Sanchez may have to start up front again.

This would be my line-up:

Prediction

Last week was a difficult one as we looked pretty good in the first half and were unlucky not to go in ahead but we were shambles for the 20 minutes after the break. Hopefully we won’t get ripped open like that again tomorrow now that Koscielny is back.

I think we all know that either Vardy or Mahrez are going to score against us given our failed pursuit’s for the pair this summer, it’s just how these things work, but hopefully we’ve got enough in attack to score a couple ourselves. I’m going with us to edge it 2-1. Leicester 1-2 Arsenal

If you fancy backing us to win tomorrow then we can get you enhanced odds of 8/1 –>

What do you think? What line-up would you like to see start?