Saturday sees fourth play fifth at The King Power Stadium, perhaps the toughest test so far for the hosts.
The Foxes will be full of confidence and up for the challenge, still yet to taste defeat this season. They have had to do it tough in recent weeks however, trailing to Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Stoke in their three most recent fixtures – a position they cannot afford to find themselves in again this week. Adding to their outstanding League form, the Foxes accounted for West Ham for the second time this season, this time in the Capital One Cup.
Arsenal will have an added spring in their step following their 2-1 away victory over their fiercest of rivals, Tottenham, midweek. In the league, however, The Gunners suffered a well publicised 2-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea, a game which saw Arsenal controversially reduced to nine men.
Both sides will display contrasting styles in a fixture that should provide great viewing.
Key Battle – Arsenal’s possession football vs Leicester’s patience
Arsenal’s trademark is their possession football. The Gunners are always easy on the eye and will once again look to enjoy the lion’s share of the ball. When the game is finished, the statistics will no doubt show a large discrepancy in passes between the two sides.
Sometimes criticised for having a ‘soft touch’, the Gunners can fall into the trap of passing without purpose and struggling to break down teams who sit deep when defending. Having the ball most of the contest will, however, heap pressure on the home side.
Leicester will defend in numbers and will expect to do so for long periods. The Foxes, in contrast to this week’s opponents, do not look to dominate possession. Rather, they attack teams on the counter. Having statistically the fastest players in the league this season, they are well equipped to do so.
It will prove to be an intriguing battle and if Arsenal lose concentration, even if only momentarily, they may be made to pay. Leicester’s vigilance in defence will also prove to be vital.
Team News
Leicester City are still without Matthew James due to his ACL injury and will not feature until well after the New Year. The Foxes will also be without loanee Nathan Dyer with a minor knee complaint.
With the ‘Tinkerman’ moniker seemingly shrugged, expect manager Claudio Ranieri to start with his favoured 4-4-2 formation.
Leicester City Expected XI (4-4-2): Schmeichel (GK); De Laet, Huth, Morgan, Schlupp; Mahrez, Inler, Kante, Albrighton; Vardy, Okazaki.
Francis Coquelin will not take his place in the Arsenal squad, with Arsene Wenger confirming his absence due to a knee injury.
The Gunners will also be without central-defender Gabriel for this fixture after his controversial game against Chelsea. Although his red card was rescinded, the Brazilian has been handed a one match ban after accepting a charge of improper conduct. Santi Cazorla, however, will be available after serving his one-match ban midweek.
Jack Wilshere will still be unavailable for the visitors, undergoing surgery for a hairline fracture in his left leg. Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky (both knee injuries) will also miss.
Arsenal Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Cech (GK); Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Arteta, Cazorla; Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez; Walcott.
Head-to-Head
Leicester and Arsenal have met on 94 previous occasions, with the win ratio heavily skewed in the Gunners’ favour. Arsenal have won 45, Leicester 18 and 31 draws.
Previous Meeting
The previous encounter between these two was at the Emirates in the league last season, with the North Londoners prevailing 2-1 thanks to goals from Laurent Koscielny and Theo Walcott. Mesut Ozil was instrumental in the result, setting up both goals.
Prediction
Leicester have got themselves out of trouble following slow starts in their last three as previously mentioned. If they do the same this week, they will find it extremely difficult to claw their way back. Expect Arsenal to take an early lead and hold it, consigning the Foxes to their first defeat of the season.
Leicester City 1 Arsenal 2
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