Arsenal and Leicester City battle later tonight. The home side will feel buoyant following an opening day win against Crystal Palace. Mikel Arteta’s side stands bolstered by their summer acquisitions and will expect to boss Brendan Rodgers’ wards on their home patch. The Brazilian Gabriels, Jesus and Martinelli are already teasing an artful partnership backed by Martin Odegaard’s creativity and Bukayo Saka’s thrust, the North London outfit looks like a mean offensive unit. It’s not all hunky dory at the club, however. Midfielder Thomas Partey has been accused of sexual misconduct by various women, including recent revelations over Twitter, Whatsapp and Snapchat. It remains to be seen if Arteta gives him a start, but when have such infractions bothered football managers? 

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Leicester is on the rebuild, with their inspirational leader Kasper Schmeichel now departed. Midfield dynamo Youri Tielemans also wants away, with Arsenal being his preferred destination. The match might serve as an audition for the Belgian, perhaps fuelling him to impress his suitors. Further afield, James Maddison poses a threat to the young Arsenal backline. The evergreen Jamie Vardy remains the club’s goal-getter-in-chief. When on the boil, the spiky striker is a nuisance, hassling defenders with his constant running and relentless energy. A goal shy of scoring his 100th since turning 30, the sharpshooter will be in the mood. 

Although The Gunners kept a clean sheet at Selhurst Park, William Saliba and their third Gabriel- Maghales- are a nascent pairing. Kieran Tierney’s absence on the left flank would have been a cause for concern in previous seasons, but Zinchenko’s arrival from league-winning Manchester City gives them quality and depth in wide areas. For the visitors, they are still sulking from their 2-2 draw against Brentford. Two goals ahead, they let slip a sure three-pointer at the King Power

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Arsenal has the edge over Leicester, having won their last three encounters. To put it into perspective, the visitors have a solitary win in their previous 25 visits to North London’s red corner. It came in October 2020 via a Vardy winner.  

Predicted Lineups

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale (GK); White, Saliba, Maghales, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus 

Leicester City (3-5-2/3-5-1-1): Ward (GK); Amartey, Evans, Fofana; Castagne, Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndidi, Justin; Maddison, Vardy.