Arsenal hopes to get back to winning ways at the Emirates Stadium when they host Leicester City on Saturday, 25 February. Last Word on Football tries to put together an Arsenal Predicted Lineup as the Gunners aim to continue their Premier League title charge and put more pressure on Manchester City with another big win.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Leicester City
How Arsenal Have Lined-up Recently
Mikel Arteta has been forced into tweak around his team for the last few weeks because of a potential fear of exhaustion and injury issues in the squad. However, a certain core of players have become undroppable and are unlikely to be dropped for this one either.
Bukayo Saka is on fire this season and is their most prolific attacking player too. Martin Odegaard is leading from the front by creating multiple major chances on a consistent basis, while Eddie Nketih can be a thorn for defenders with his flexible work in the final third.
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The back-five of Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Oleksandr Zinchenko have developed an unbreakable bond together and should continue playing as the season moves into its business end. January transfer window signing Jorginho’s heroics against Aston Villa should help him reserve his starting lineup for more time, while Granit Xhaka is too influential to be replaced at the moment.
Arsenal’s Recent Form and Tactics
The Gunners recently saw an uptick in their form after having a relatively topsy-turvy start to the year of 2023. The Red Devils have won four of their nine games this year so far, with only one of those wins coming in their last five games.
Arteta has not starved away from his method of urging Arsenal players to deploy a fearless attacking style irrespective of their opposition teams. Their attacking moves start right from the back, with the defenders being tasked to progress the ball to their midfielders in the opposition areas.
While that tactic was capitalized by Manchester City and resulted in their loss at the Emirates Stadium, one bad result shouldn’t influence a major change in their playing style. Arteta is likely to urge his players to take the fight to Leicester, especially knowing their shaky form after a crushing loss to Manchester United last week.
The Gunners have normally deployed a high-octane, fast-paced passing style to their attacking moves this season. With the Spanish gaffer using the 4-3-3 formation for almost the entirety of the campaign, he is likely to move forward with that in the final months of the season.
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That means a lot of responsibility will be put on players like Saka and winger Gabriel Martinelli, who should make his return to the starting XI after a goal and assist against Villa. They’ll be tasked to pick up possession in wide areas and then surge into the box, before looking to pick out teammates to take unpredictable shots on goal.
Of course, the likes of Odegaard and Xhaka will be tasked to get closer to the final third to get among the crucial action. Nketiah, however, needs to be more clinical in the box and ruthlessly finish off his chances to inspire his side to a big win against the Foxes.
While Arsenal will look to dominate the game and light up the Emirates Stadium with some splendid attacking football, they’ll also need to be defensively wary to keep the unpredictable Leicester side quiet. Brendan Rodgers’ squad has the ability to catch out opposition teams with their troubling fast breaks and unpredictable attacking moves.
The Gunners have to maintain utmost concentration to keep the visiting side from troubling Aaron Ramsdale and then also look to torment them with their blistering attacking moves. As long as they’re as menacing in the final third as they were against Villa and can be defensively solid, Arteta’s side should be able to get back to winning ways at home.
Arsenal Injuries to Consider
Gabriel Jesus has returned to Arsenal training but is still expected to be out until March. Mohamed Elneny is out with an injury, while Thomas Partey continues his recovery from a knock.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho, Granit Xhaka, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah
