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Creative talent to return: Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Leicester City

Oct 25, 2020

With Mikel Arteta’s side returning to Premier League action this weekend, here’s our Arsenal predicted lineup vs Leicester City.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 04, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth - Pool/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal gives his team instructions on October 04, 2020. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth – Pool/Getty Images)

After a defeat away to Manchester City last time out in the league, Arsenal will want to get three points on the board at home to Leicester City this weekend. Let’s take a look at our Arsenal predicted lineup vs Leicester City.

Goalkeeper

Barring injury, there’s no real reason Bernd Leno shouldn’t continue his run in the team.

Defence

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on September 19, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND: Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal during the Premier League match on September 19, 2020. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Until Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari and Shkodran Mustafi are fully fit and match sharp, the defence pretty much picks itself.

Gabriel Magalhaes and David Luiz are the only real choices at centre-back, with Rob Holding out for the next few weeks and Sokratis Papastathopoulos ineligible. William Saliba can play but is very unlikely to.

At left-back, Kieran Tierney should keep his place, with Hector Bellerin on the right. Right now, it’s hard to see Sead Kolasinac and Cedric Soares mounting any kind of serious challenge for either position.

Midfield

Dani Ceballos missed the midweek clash with Rapid Vienna with ankle bruising, but there was no suggestion of anything more serious. For now, we’re predicting him to return to the team and start against Leicester City this weekend.

Bukayo Saka has to start, based on recent form. He was arguably Arsenal’s best player against Manchester City, and he adds something different to the other midfield options. So that just leaves one more spot in the midfield.

We know Mesut Özil can’t fill it. Like Sokratis, he isn’t eligible for Premier League matches anymore. It’s also unlikely to be Mohamed Elneny, given both Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are available.

We’re betting on Partey for this one. He’s ready and warmed up with Arsenal now, it’s surely time to get starts in the league.

Forwards

Emile Smith Rowe with Alexandre Lacazette in Arsenal training (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should start as usual. Unfortunately, he’ll probably continue to play on the left, but that’s just how it is at the moment.

Nicolas Pepe seems likely to keep his place on the right, with Willian suffering with a calf issue. It’s possible the Brazilian winger returns in time, but Pepe is the safer bet.

Up front, it could be Alexandre Lacazette or Eddie Nketiah. Considering they both started against Rapid Vienna, it’s a 50/50, but we’re predicting Lacazette to start this one.