Leicester City v Arsenal Preview

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette will be key against Leicester City

Leicester City v Arsenal Preview

Arsenal take on Leicester in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off. 
The Gunners are in good form, undefeated in eight games across the league and EFL Cup, 
Despite a disappointing start to the campaign, Mikel Arteta’s side look like they could challenge for European football this season but another side keen to show their progress after a tricky start is Saturday’s hosts Leicester City. 
The Foxes are currently level on points with Arsenal and are just one place above the Gunners on goal difference. 
However, they have also recently turned their form around with two draws followed by two wins, including a 4-2 triumph over crisis club Manchester United.
So, what can we expect from Brendan Rodgers’ side on Saturday?  

What can we expect from Leicester City?

Leicester have been something of a mixed bag this season. 
Against United, they started poorly but showed that they have numerous goal threats in their side as the game progressed. 
Kelechi Iheanacho and Youri Tielemans have started to look like the top-four talents many predicted they would become for years. 
However, certain players and positions are proving to be recurring issues for Rodgers. 
Centre-back, formerly an area of strength for Leicester, is an area of the pitch where the Foxes have looked particularly shaky this season – in no small part thanks to injuries - while they have also had issues at left and right-back. 
They also struggle to hold onto leads, as shown in their game against Crystal Palace. After going 2-0 up against the run of play, they failed to capitalise on their advantage fully and were lucky to escape south London with a point. 
Leicester are also missing some key players. Jamie Vardy is likely to return for the game, but they will be without Wilfred Ndidi and Marc Albrighton.

What can we expect from Arsenal? 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette appear to be back to their best after a worrying 12 months. 
Both were struggling for goals and weren’t putting in performances off the ball that justified their inclusion. 
However, Arteta’s faith in his star players has come good and we begin to expect bigger things from this season as a result. 
The defence looked uncharacteristically disorganised against Palace but was back to its best in the 3-1 win against Aston Villa. 
Arsenal appear to be in a good place with a settled starting line-up ahead of this weekend’s game. 
The biggest worry is in defence, where Ben White is yet to resume training after being forced off against Leeds United on Tuesday due to illness.
There is some good news, though, as Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney could both feature if they pass late fitness tests.

Prediction

Arsenal are actually looking very impressive heading into this game. Aubameyang’s return to form has been vital and means that some of the pressure has been taken off the younger players like Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka. 
Smith Rowe has responded really well and played some of his best football of the season so far during October. 
Meanwhile, Leicester seem resurgent but the loss of Ndidi leaves an already weak back four exposed. Arsenal could win this game if they avoid making silly individual errors.

Photo Credity: Getty Images

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