Arsenal vs Leicester

Arsenal Host Leicester City Looking to Extend Unbeaten Run

After securing contrasting victories in the midweek EFL Cup, Arsenal and Leicester City will clash in Saturday's Premier League fixture at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal convincingly defeated Bolton Wanderers 5-1, while Leicester required penalty heroics to overcome Walsall.

Match Preview
Arsenal's youngsters stole the show on Wednesday night in their EFL Cup win over Bolton. Mikel Arteta fielded a youthful side, including 16-year-old Jack Porter, the youngest-ever Arsenal starter. Despite conceding a goal, Arsenal’s academy star Ethan Nwaneri bagged a brace, and senior players Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, and Declan Rice also found the back of the net.

The Gunners now return to Premier League action following last weekend’s thrilling 1-1 draw at Manchester City, where a late John Stones equalizer denied Arsenal a crucial victory. With Leandro Trossard sent off, Arteta’s side had to defend for much of the game. Arsenal currently sit fourth in the table, just two points behind leaders Manchester City, and boast a 70% win rate for 2024.

At the Emirates, Arsenal have dominated newly-promoted teams, holding a 39-match unbeaten streak in Premier League encounters against such opponents since their 2010 defeat to Newcastle United.

Leicester, meanwhile, battled their way past Walsall in the EFL Cup but needed penalties to do so. Goalkeeper Danny Ward shone, saving three penalties to send the Foxes through to the fourth round. However, they remain winless in the Premier League after a 1-1 draw with Everton last weekend, leaving them 15th in the table. While Leicester are yet to taste victory this season, their superior goal difference keeps them out of the relegation zone.

Historically, Arsenal have the upper hand in this fixture, winning their last five Premier League meetings with Leicester. The Foxes’ last victory at the Emirates came in 2020, when they secured a 1-0 win.

Team News
Leandro Trossard is back from suspension and is expected to start for Arsenal, while goalkeeper Neto could make his debut if David Raya remains sidelined with a muscular injury. Jurrien Timber is a doubt after missing the midweek fixture, while Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney, and Oleksandr Zinchenko are all out with various injuries. Despite an upcoming Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, Arteta is expected to field his strongest lineup.

Leicester’s injury list is shorter, with Patson Daka, Jannik Vestergaard, and Jakub Stolarczyk all recovering from ankle issues. Mads Hermansen will likely replace Danny Ward in goal, while Jamie Vardy is set to lead the attack, having scored 11 goals in 16 games against Arsenal.

Possible Lineups
Arsenal: Neto; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Havertz, Rice, Partey; Saka, Jesus, Trossard

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