Arsenal vs Leicester predicted lineups and team news

Unbeaten Arsenal host Leicester on Saturday 28 September at the Emirates in a game that kick-offs at 3pm so will not be available to watch live on TV in the UK.

Arsenal vs Leicester predicted lineups

Arsenal (4-3-3): Neto; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Havertz, Rice, Partey; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.

Leicester (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen; Winks, Ndidi; Ayew, El Khannouss, Mavididi; Vardy.

So close and yet so far

The Gunners came within seconds of winning at champions Manchester City last week, while the Foxes are still hunting for their first victory since gaining promotion last season.

If anyone was left in doubt that Arsenal would be able to forge another Premier League title challenge this season then the Gunners will undoubtedly be taken seriously after their 2-2 draw at champions Manchester City.

Only a late John Stones goal spared the Citizens and, although it was a disappointment that they allowed the winning situation to slip, it was still another good building block after they gained a solid 1-0 win at north London rivals Tottenham the week before.

However, they slipped up by drawing with Brighton the last time they played in front of their own fans and they will have to make adjustments in midfield again with Leonardo Trossard suspended for Leicester’s visit after his red card at the Etihad.

The Foxes are searching for their first win since promotion having claimed draws against Tottenham, when the London side wasted several excellent chances, Crystal Palace and Everton.

Adapting to life after Enzo Maresca’s Championship charge has not been easy following the manager’s summer departure to Chelsea and former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has work to do to win the fans over.

Arsenal vs Leicester team news

Arsenal have got plenty of selection issues to contend with alongside Trossard’s suspension following his Etihad dismissal.

Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with an ankle injury and Gunners fans have yet to see new signing Mikel Merino, who was injured in training shortly after joining from Real Sociedad.

Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both out but the main concern is goalkeeper David Raya, who has been struggling all week with a knee issue.

He faces a late fitness test and Neto, on loan from Bournemouth, is standing by if he doesn’t make it.

Defender Ben White also faces a fitness test after he played through an injury as a substitute against the champions and missed the midweek League Cup victory over Bolton.
Kai Havertz looks set to move back into midfield for the Gunners, which would mean Gabriel Jesus leading the forward line.

Jakub Stolarczyk, Patson Daka and Jannik Vestergaard are all sidelined for Leicester with Cooper saying he will have the same squad available as faced Everton in their last league game.

The Foxes boss said he rested a few players with ‘bumps and bruises’ for the League Cup game at Walsall on Tuesday, but everyone else is available.

With no fresh injury concerns, Leicester can be expected to revert to the team that drew with Everton, with Jamie Vardy coming back into the line-up.