Arsenal face the Foxes at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, trying to keep in touch at the top of the table so let’s take a look at the Arsenal predicted XI v Leicester.
Rather bizarrely, after the first two games of the season ended in defeat, Arsenal are just two points off the top of the table after eight matches. The Gunners have overtaken Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to break into the top four, so it’s up to them to stay there now.
Their opponents on this occasion haven’t started the campaign too badly, just about scraping into the top half of the table. However, Leicester did suffer a defeat to Everton last time out, losing captain Wes Morgan to a red card. As a result, the defender will be suspended for the match against Arsenal.
Let’s have a look at the Arsenal predicted XI v Leicester.
2Arsenal predicted XI v Leicester City – Midfield
The biggest question here is whether Emery decides to stick with the 4-2-2-2 used against Fulham or not. However, that won’t affect his decision when it comes to the two sitting midfielders. Whichever formation he plays, Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira should both start in the middle.
Torreira got his first assist for Uruguay over the break, whilst Xhaka captained Switzerland against Belgium and Iceland, so the games are coming thick and fast for the pair at the moment. I’d expect them to get a rest in Arsenal’s midweek Europa League game though, rather than on Monday.
If Emery sticks with the 4-2-2-2, which you’d probably expect him to after how well it worked against Fulham, we’ll likely see Alex Iwobi on the left. Mesut Özil is the most probable candidate on the right, though it’s certainly a close thing between him and Henrikh Mkhitaryan on current form.
Alternatively, if Emery reverts to playing three in the middle, we could see a return for Aaron Ramsey. Despite the impressive cameo appearance against Fulham, he still hasn’t shown enough in his starts so far though, so I’d still back Özil for the position on this occasion.