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Arsenal vs Leicester preview, team news, how to watch, line-ups and prediction

By on September 26, 2024

Jurrien Timber Mikel Arteta Arsenal

Arsenal get back to Premier League action when we take on Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Mikel Arteta’s young guns helped the club book their place in the next round of the Carabao Cup with a resounding 5-1 win over Bolton on Wednesday night. 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri was the star as he bagged a brace during the rout, but goalkeeper Jack Porter also hit the headlines after becoming the youngster player in the clubs history at just 16 years old.

There were some experienced heads in the starting line-up in midweek with Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling also getting on the scoresheet, while the likes of Bukayo Saka, Jorginho and Gabriel Jesus also started the game as Arsenal eased into the next round of the competition with a comfortable victory.

Last time out in the league, we played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with defending champions Manchester City. After going behind to an early Erling Haaland goal, Arsenal fought back to take the lead thanks to goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes. Just seconds before the break, Leandro Trossard was sent off after receiving a second booking for kicking the ball away just one second after Michael Olivier had blown for a foul. This is the second time in three league games that Arsenal have had a player dismissed in these circumstances, and fans are rightly angered by the lack of consistency being shown in these scenarios.

The Trossard dismissal entirely changed the complexion of the game and Arsenal defended for their lives throughout the second half trying to preserve their lead. It appeared we’d done enough to secure a huge three points but in the 98th minute, John Stones poked home from close range to rescue a point for City. It was heartbreaking for Arsenal as we’d battled do hard to maintain our 2-1 advantage, but taking a point away to City with 10 men for 56 minutes is certainly not a disaster.

That result has left us sitting fourth in the table but we’re just two points adrift of leaders Man City. Considering three of our opening five games have been away from home against Aston Villa, Tottenham and City, I think it’s fair to say Arsenal will be happy with their points return of 11 from a possible 15. We’re now in a strong position and can push on with very winnable games against Leicester, Southampton and Bournemouth coming up.

Leicester head to the capital still looking for their first win of the season after gaining promotion to the top flight. They’ve draw against Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Everton but tasted defeat to Fulham and Aston Villa, so they sit 15th in the table with just three points. Understandably, Arsenal are the heavy favourites to win on Saturday but Leicester will be hoping to cause an upset at the Emirates.

How to watch

Unfortunately, the game hasn’t been selected by the broadcasting companies so it won’t be shown live on TV this weekend.

Therefore, the only way to follow all the action live is to be at the game in person. Fans can buy Arsenal vs Leicester tickets on the official club exchanges or through trusted reseller sites such as Seatsnet.

Team news

Arsenal will continue to be without the services of skipper Martin Odegaard as he’s facing at least another month on the sidelines. David Raya will need to be assessed after missing the win over Bolton with a muscle injury that he picked up against Man City last weekend.

However, there is positive news regarding the fitness of Mikel Merino as he’s returned to training after a fractured shoulder. The Leicester game will come too soon but he could be in contention next week.

Jurrien Timber is expected to be fit to return to the squad after nursing a thigh injury. The Dutchman trained on Thursday and could be available along with Ben White – who missed the win over Man City with a minor knee problem.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is still working his way back from a knee issue. Leandro Trossard returns from suspension but Oleksandr Zinchenko remains out with a calf injury.

As for Leicester, they have no new injury problems but they’ll still be without Jannik Vestergaard, Paston Daka and Jakub Stolarczyk for the trip to London this weekend.

Possible line-ups

Arsenal will ring the changes from the win over Bolton but it remains to be seen whether Raya is passed fit to return. Neto is on stand-by to make his debut between the sticks after arriving from Bournemouth in the summer.

White and Timber could be recalled in the full-back positions with William Saliba and Gabriel coming in to start in the middle of Arsenal’s defence. Calafiori will hope he’s done enough to keep his place but he may find himself back on the bench on Saturday.

Declan Rice will start in midfield while Thomas Partey is expected to be recalled in the holding role after being rested against Bolton. Nwaneri could be handed his full league debut after his impressive display in midweek but with Trossard available again, the teenager will probably have to settle for a place on the bench.

Saka will no doubt keep his place in the Arsenal starting eleven while Gabriel Martinelli could return on the left with Sterling making way. Kai Havertz could be recalled to start up front with Gabriel Jesus dropping out.

Likely Arsenal XI: Neto, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Rice, Trossard, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

Likely Leicester XI: Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen; Skipp, Winks; Ayew, Ndidi, Mavididi; Vardy

Prediction

Leicester could pose a threat against the big boys this season, especially with Jamie Vardy still leading the attack, but Arsenal should prove to be far too strong for them on Saturday. We have the best defence in the league, if not Europe, so I’m confident we can keep out the Foxes this weekend.

The Gunners may not be firing on all cylinders yet in attack but this game is a good opportunity for us to show we can cope in the absence of Odegaard. With Saka, Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli, Sterling and Jesus all at Arteta’s disposal, we should have enough firepower to see off Leicester at home. Arsenal 3-0 Leicester