Arsenal vs Leicester City: Premier League Preview and Prediction

Leicester City visits the Emirates stadium to face a vastly improving Arsenal in a super Sunday clash. 

Arsenal and Leicester City will be playing again after exactly 32 days when they last played each other.

Arsenal’s last league game was not their best as they succumbed to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. 

Both the teams did well defensively but were only separated by Raheem Sterling’s goal after Bernd Leno deflected Phil Foden’s near-post attempt. 

It also marked the debut of the Gunners’ new signing from Atletico Madrid, Thomas Partey.

Brendan Rodgers’ men have faced back-to-back defeats at home against West Ham and Aston Villa respectively. 

This comes after a fabulous performance away at Etihad where they won 5-2. 

Last weekend, a Ross Barkley goal cost them three points as they did not threaten the Villa defence at all. 

The Foxes were without Jamie Vardy and his absence was evident in Leicester’s confidence.

Team News:

Arsenal: 

Mikel Arteta has fresh injury concerns after the game against Pep Guardiola. 

He may have to contest players outside of his best XI, roping in some youngsters who have done exceedingly well for him.

Doubtful: Dani Ceballos, Willian

Unavailable: Pablo Mari, Rob Holding

Leicester City: 

With a poor run of performances recently, Rodgers would want to get back to winning ways. 

With some key players out, he will have to make use of the players available in the best possible way. New signing Cengiz Under would be hoping to start too.

There is still no conclusive news on Jamie Vardy’s involvement in the upcoming game and the 2015-16 champions would hope that their top-scorer makes his return soon. 

The change of formation has not done much for the ex-Liverpool boss and he would be hoping to get back Ndidi soon so that he can return back to his old setup.

Doubtful: Jamie Vardy

Unavailable: Wilfred Ndidi, Caglar Soyuncu, Ricardo Pereira

Recent Form: 

Key Battles: 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Timothy Castagne

The African has been goalless in his last four league games after firing six goals in four consecutive games in all competitions. 

He will be against Castagne, who has been one of the few consistent performers for the Foxes until now.

Despite losing two games consecutively, Castagne will hope to give his best to turn the tables this time, while Aubameyang will have to lead his side from the front.

David Luiz vs Harvey Barnes

With Vardy’s absence, the pressure has been mounted on Barnes who is the other frequent goalscorer in the squad. 

With David Luiz at the back, Barnes would try to press him so that the Brazilian commits some crucial errors in the game.

Prediction

Despite winning their respective Europa League games, the battle will be a tight one as both of the teams lost their last league games. 

Arsenal being at home will try to attack more while Rodgers’ squad will be eager to hit them on the counter. 

Without Vardy, the Foxes will have problems in the final third as Arsenal are set strong defensively.