Mikel Arteta’s in-form Arsenal side take on a resurgent Leicester City, with the Gunners looking to reclaim their fourth spot in the Premier League table.
All the talk of Arsenal not being good enough to finish fourth at the end of the season has died down as Mikel Arteta’s men march on in the right direction. The Spaniard could win five Premier League games in a row for the first time in his managerial career when Leicester City visit the Emirates Stadium this weekend.
Arsenal have been steadily climbing up the Premier League table, and after dispatching Wolves twice, Brentford and then Watford in their last four games, the final Champions League spot now appears to be theirs to lose.
Manchester United temporarily moved into fourth place in the league table after their win over Tottenham on Saturday. Arsenal are two points behind United, but have four games in hand over the Red Devils. They will be targeting a victory on Sunday night ahead of a tough assignment against Liverpool in midweek.
Leicester City are in good form ahead of their trip to London. The Foxes have had an up and down season so far, which has seen them drop out of contention for a top-six finish. They remain alive in the UEFA Europa Conference League, and winning the competition may be their only route to playing European football next season.
The Foxes have stitched together an impressive four-game unbeaten run in all competitions, most recently beating Rennes 2-0 in the Europa Conference League. However, the test at the Emirates will be their toughest one in recent weeks. In the reverse fixture, Brendan Rodgers’s men suffered a morale-sapping 2-0 defeat, conceding two early goals. They will be aiming to avoid a similar fate this time around.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta will likely opt to name an unchanged lineup from the last clash against Watford. Barring any late decisions with his squad selection, the team picks itself, although the manager may include Emile Smith Rowe based on his final assessments.
? Afternoon, boss!
? Watch Mikel's pre-match press conference LIVE here ?#ARSLEI
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 11, 2022
Smith Rowe missed the Watford clash due to Covid, although Arteta confirmed that the attacker is now back with the squad in his press conference. The manager will have to decide whether to slot him into the team in place of Gabriel Martinelli, who scored in the previous game. It does look like the Brazilian will keep his spot for now, with the English star likely to be used as an option off the bench.
The only absentee is Takehiro Tomiyasu, who did return to training this week from a calf problem. Arteta confirmed his intention to protect the full-back and gradually bring him back into the fold in the coming weeks.
Cedric Soares should continue at right-back, considering the Portuguese has been in top form in the last four games. He will have Ben White, Gabriel and Kieran Tierney for company in the back four, with Aaron Ramsdale the preferred choice between the posts.
Thomas Partey will keep his place in the middle of the park after collecting Arsenal’s Player of the Month accolade for February and starring in his new position in the team. The Ghanaian now operates in a sole central midfield role at the base, with Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard operating as No.8 s on either side.
Bukayo Saka will continue to wield his influence from the right side of the attacking three, with Alexandre Lacazette the firm choice to lead the line. Martinelli is likely to start ahead of Smith Rowe on the left.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette
Leicester City
Jamie Vardy’s absence is the biggest news in the build-up to the clash. The veteran striker has scored 11 times in 14 appearances against Arsenal and will be a big miss for the trip to north London. The forward is joined by Jonny Evans, Timothy Castagne and Ryan Bertrand on the treatment table, while Wesley Fofana is still not ready for a return either.
"It's going to be tough, but we look forward to the challenge" – ???? ?????????? ?
— Leicester City (@LCFC) March 12, 2022
There was a return for James Maddison, who came off the bench against Rennes in midweek, and Brendan Rodgers is likely to select the attacking midfielder against Arsenal. Nampalys Mendy will also return to the squad, although he is unlikely to start in the game.
The Foxes could have James Justin available, after the full-back made a comeback against Rennes in midweek. With Ricardo Pereira set to undergo a late fitness test, Justin will likely be part of a back-four consisting of Daniel Amartey, Caglar Soyuncu and Luke Thomas.
Rodgers will prefer to field a 4-3-3 shape, which becomes a 4-4-2 out of possession. Youri Tielemans, Wilfried Ndidi and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will form the midfield trio.
With Maddison likely to be fit for this game, he will take up a role on the right side of the front three. Harvey Barnes will continue on the left side of the attack, with Patson Daka the ideal choice to lead the line for the Foxes.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Justin, Amartey, Soyuncu, Thomas; Tielemans, Ndidi, Dewsbury-Hall; Maddison, Daka, Barnes
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won eight of their last ten games in the Premier League.
- Arsenal failed to score only against Burnley in their last 12 home Premier League games.
- Arsenal have won by a one-goal margin in their last four Premier League games.
- Leicester City are unbeaten in four games across all competitions.
- Leicester City have beaten Arsenal just once in their last 24 away fixtures against the north Londoners.
Player to Watch
Martin Odegaard
The Norwegian has been growing in stature under Arteta, while making the right side of the advanced midfield area his own. His link-up with Bukayo Saka has been amazing and Arsenal have predominantly attacked from the right side of the pitch as a result.
Odegaard’s ability to create chances has been key to Arsenal’s form, and he has shown the ability to score goals a well. With suggestions that the Gunners have faced weaker opposition during their excellent run of form currently, it is time for the former Real Madrid star to show his skills against a club of Leicester’s stature.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Leicester City
Arsenal have bigger fish to fry than Leicester from now till the end of the season, as they look to come out on top in the topsy-turvy top-four battle. Brendan Rodgers would also want his club to play European football next term, although the route to that is likely to be through the Conference League.
Arsenal will be under pressure to carry their momentum forward and keep their strong home form intact. With their quality and ability in attack and the influence of Thomas Partey in midfield, the Gunners have more firepower to overcome the Foxes. Expect the north Londoners to collect three points, although Leicester could score the odd goal.
