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Arsenal vs Leicester City Preview – Prediction, how to watch & line-ups

High-flying Arsenal are set to encounter Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium in their opening home match of the new Premier League season.

On a day when optimism levels are always at their highest, Mikel Arteta’s side will be looking to build on a 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace on the opening weekend.

Gabriel Martinelli’s first-half opener, accompanied by Marc Guehi’s late own-goal, handed the Gunners a perfect start to their bid to secure a top-four Premier League finish for the first time since 2015/16. 

Leicester, on the other hand, returned to their old habits in a curtain-raising home fixture against Brentford last time out, squandering a 2-0 lead beyond the hour mark to draw 2-2.

As the only Premier League club unable to make a single signing over the summer, the Foxes could be struggling to find a silver lining, especially following last season’s underwhelming eighth-place finish. 

Unlike their visitors, confidence is sky-rocketing in the Arsenal camp on the back of the summer arrivals of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabio Vieira. 

Jesus’ switch from Manchester City may have failed to make the list of the most expensive Premier League signings, but he could be instrumental to the Gunners’ bid to better last season’s fifth-place finish.

The Brazilian failed to hit the back of the net at Selhurst Park, yet his stellar pre-season showings give Arsenal fans every reason to look forward to his competitive debut at the Emirates. 


Match Preview

Arsenal

Slow home starts in recent Premier League seasons have seen Arsenal lose six of their 12 top-flight outings at the Emirates in August (W4, D2), including a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in their only such game last season.

However, the Gunners boast a formidable home league record against Leicester, having lost just one of their 25 encounters against the Foxes in domestic league action (W20, D4). 

There’s a piece of history up for grabs following the abovementioned triumph at Palace. Arsenal could win two opening matches without conceding for the first time in Premier League history. 

Leicester City

An air of toxicity is looming over the King Power Stadium these days, with Brendan Rodgers struggling to address his side’s defensive woes, as witnessed by the two late goals conceded against Brentford.

Speaking of their defensive problems, the Foxes have failed to keep a clean sheet in 25 of their last 26 Premier League matches on hostile turf. 

You’d have to go back to February 2021 for Leicester’s last away league shutout against current top-flight sides, suggesting their effort to avenge last season’s double to Arsenal has no legs to stand on.

Arsenal vs Leicester City Potential Line-ups

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard; Gabriel Jesus.

Leicester City (3-5-1-1): Danny Ward; Wesley Fofana, Daniel Amartey, Caglar Soyuncu; Timothy Castagne, Wilfred Ndidi, Youri Tielemans, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, James Justin; James Maddison; Jamie Vardy. 

How to Watch?

Arsenal vs Leicester, coupled with all other Premier League matches, is available to watch online via Premier League live streams.

Arsenal vs Leicester City Prediction

Momentum is undoubtedly on Arsenal’s side in this one and we have no other option but to back Jesus & Co to humble Rodgers’ underachievers. 

Arsenal 3-1 Leicester City

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