Arsenal return back to Premier League action as they visit Leicester City at King Power on Saturday.
The Gunners last played against Newcastle United, where they lost in the EFL Cup semi-finals clash. Meanwhile, the Foxes were defeated by Manchester United in the FA Cup last week.
Mikel Arteta’s team doesn’t have to focus on any other domestic competition after being knocked out from the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. They are also dealing with a major injury crisis with three key attackers sidelined. Kai Havertz is the latest to join them, as he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury.
Back in Premier League action 🔜
Enjoy some of our classic goals against the Foxes 🎯
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 13, 2025
The Spaniard boss will be having a tough time deciding his best XI. Nevertheless, the Gunners have a wonderful unbeaten record of avoiding a loss in each of their last 14 games in the Premier League.
But it has been a completely opposite case for Leicester City. Two points adrift of safety in 18th place, they have a dreadful record at home this season. They have lost each of their last four games at the King Power Stadium and have failed to score a single goal in these games.
Arsenal’s current form (Premier League):
W, D, W, D, W, W
Leicester City’s current form (Premier League):
L, L, L, L, W, L
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD:
Arsenal have tasted success in their previous five league encounters with Leicester. They have kept three clean sheets in the process, and their latest game against them in September 2024 saw them winning by a 4-2 scoreline.
TEAM NEWS:
Arsenal will be feeling the pain of missing out on a striker in the January window as their key talisman Havertz was ruled out due to an injury he sustained in training. Martinelli won’t return for another few weeks, and Saka is unlikely to return before mid-March.
Arteta is down to the barest bone in attack—a front three featuring Raheem Sterling, Ethan Nwaneri, and Leandro Trossard. Nathan Butler-Oyedeji might make a surprise appearance.
Sterling LW – Trossard CF – Nwaneri RW
This is most likely what we’ve got to work with. The team behind them is still class. The Havertz injury was probably the final blow to our title chances, but I still fancy us to beat most teams. One game at a time. pic.twitter.com/iUiD9pryLo
— 🇳🇴 kimmoFC (@kimmoFC) February 12, 2025
Luckless Takehiro Tomiyasu could undergo knee surgery and is nowhere close to a return. Ben White trained in Dubai, and there is a slight chance that the English full-back could return to the squad for the first time since November.
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The Gooners can’t expect much sympathy from Jamie Vardy, who has scored 11 goals against them. He is only behind Wayne Rooney (12) and Harry Kane (14). However, the Foxes are still sweating on the fitness of the veteran striker, and it remains to be seen whether the forward haunts the visitors once again.
Jannik Vestergaard and Victor Kristiansen are ruled out for this clash. Ricardo Pereira is unlikely to return for the next few weeks, and Abdul Fatawu is out until the end of the season.
Arsenal’s predicted starting XI:
David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling
Leicester City’s predicted starting XI:
Mads Hermansen, James Justin, Caleb Okoli, Wout Faes, Luke Thomas, Wilfred Ndidi, Boubakary Soumare, Bobby Cordova-Reid, Bilal El Khannouss, Jordan Ayew, Jamie Vardy
OUR PREDICTION FOR THE GAME:
We expect Arsenal to return with a comfortable 2-0 victory. Although the Foxes played well against Man United, their horrendous record at home might trouble them.
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The North London outfit might see some new names on the scoresheet, but that won’t affect their flow of goals. They have a great chance to close the gap with leaders Liverpool to four points, albeit the Reds having played a game less.
Arsenal 2 – 0 Leicester City
