Arsenal predicted lineup vs Leicester - Premier League

  • Arsenal host their first Premier League fixture at the Emirates since 31 August
  • Gunners have several fresh injury concerns ahead of Leicester's visit
  • Will Mikel Arteta trust the kids?
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It's been a little while since Arsenal were in Premier League action at the Emirates, with the Gunners escaping three tough away days with their unbeaten record still in tact.

Mikel Arteta's side proved last week they'll be there or thereabouts in this title race. A dominant Gabriel secured all three points in a tight north London derby and they were just seconds away from recording their first win at the Etihad of the Pep Guardiola era.

Arsenal supporters endured a week full of stress and Wednesday's 5-1 battering of League One Bolton in the Carabao Cup served as a much-needed reliever. Their domestic schedule is kinder before the October break with winless Leicester coming to town on Saturday, although Arteta will have one eye on Tuesday's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain when considering his starting XI this weekend.

Here's the team the Spaniard could opt for against the Foxes.


Arsenal predicted lineup vs Leicester (4-3-3)

Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori celebrated his first Premier League start in style last weekend / Carl Recine/GettyImages

GK: David Raya - Arsenal's standout performer of the season is a doubt with a thigh injury, but the minor knock is unlikely to keep the Spaniard out this weekend.

RB: Jurrien Timber - While Arteta should be cautious over Timber given the long-term injury he suffered at the start of his debut season, the Dutchman was seemingly only struggling with muscle cramps at the end of Sunday's clash in Manchester. He should be fit to feature.

CB: William Saliba - Saliba's a sure bet to return to the XI after earning some well-deserved respite in the week.

CB: Gabriel - The Brazilian currently sits joint-top of Arsenal's scoring charts this term, with his dominance from set-pieces proving key in the club's unbeaten start to the new season.

LB: Riccardo Calafiori - Calafiori in a centre-back role against Bolton, but his display showed why Arteta currently prefers him as a left-back. Expect the Italian to venture forward at will against a deep-lying Leicester defence.

CM: Thomas Partey - Partey performed well at the Etihad last weekend and was unsurprisingly rested in midweek. Arteta has to carefully manage the midfielder, who's already played a lot of football this season, but he shouldn't be forced to exert himself too much in this one.

CM: Declan Rice - A surprise inclusion in Wednesday's XI, Rice got the ball rolling with a fine finish from the edge of the area before teeing up young Ethan Nwaneri's second goal at the start of the second half. It's been a subdued start to the season for the midfielder, but he should have gained some confidence from his midweek performance.

CM: Kai Havertz - Arteta let Hale End run amok against Bolton, but he may not be there yet in regards to trusting teenagers in the Premier League. Supporters would love to see Nwaneri on Saturday, but they'll likely get Havertz.

RW: Bukayo Saka - Saka played 70 minutes on Wednesday having been sacrificed at half-time against City last weekend. The winger has been involved in almost every Premier League goal Arsenal have scored this season.

ST: Gabriel Jesus - Jesus hasn't exactly done anything to warrant another start, but Arteta is not going to lose faith in the Brazilian anytime soon. This is another good opportunity for Jesus to get his season rolling.

LW: Gabriel Martinelli - The dogged winger produced a tireless effort at the Etihad in what was his best performance of the season. Arteta can call upon Leandro Trossard again, but Martinelli's more likely to retain his place.


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