As Arsenal gear up for one of the most crucial encounters in their title challenge this season, Arsene Wenger is expected to make only one change to his relatively strong starting XI.

First choice center back Per Mertesacker is expected to start on the bench in the weekend clash against Leicester City, despite being fully fit. Brazilian defender Gabriel will most likely be starting in his place. While Arsene Wenger usually prefers the big German as part of his central defensive partnership for Arsenal, the last time these two teams faced off, Mertesacker’s lack of pace was brutally exposed by the nimble footed Jamie Vardy.

Wenger has another big decision to make before the clash against Leicester City. Joel Campbell has impressed this season, but the Costa Rican could make way for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Ox scored in Arsenal’s last game against Bournemouth, and could get the nod over Campbell because of this.

Ramsey and Coquelin are expected to take their place in the midfield with their attacking trident of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud providing the strike force. Koscielny, Bellerin and Monreal will shore up the defence and Cech will be their main man in goal.

Leicester City will be going into the match with a full strength side as well. The tinkerman in Claudio Ranieri might not have much to tinker with. The first team players have made themselves indispensable to the Foxes cause and have forced the likes of Gokhan Inler and Leanardo Ulloa to wait their turn.

Forward duo Okazaki and Vardy will start up front in the 4-4-2 formation that Ranieri has deployed with much success this season. Marc Albrighton, Danny Drinkwater, N’golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez will be in midfield and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will have the back four of Simpson, Huth, Morgan and Fuchs ahead of him.

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