Arsenal vs Leicester City preview

Arsenal Predicted XI vs Leicester City

Martinez; Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac; Bellerin, Ceballos, Xhaka, Tierney; Saka, Lacazette, Aubameyang

Leicester City Predicted XI vs Arsenal

Schmeichel; Justin, Evans, Soyuncu, Fuchs; Ayoze, Ndidi, Tielemans, Barnes; Iheanacho, Vardy

Arsenal vs Leicester City kick-off time

Arsenal host Leicester City in the Premier League on Tuesday, 7 July, with kick-off at 21:15 CEST, 20:15 BST. That's 15:15 ET and 12:15 PT in the US.

Check out how and where to watch Arsenal vs Leicester City: times around the world, TV...

Arsenal vs Leicester City Preview

After two extremely poor performances to kick off their return to Premier League action the Gunners seem to have hit upon a winning formula in recent weeks. Boss Mikel Arteta has switched to a back three and has been getting the best out of Sead Kolašinac, David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi. Luiz, whose days at the club appeared numbered after a calamitous performance against Manchester City, is far more comfortable as a sweeper and Arsenal have only conceded one goal in their three matches since he returned to the starting line-up.

Another piece of good news for Arsenal fans was the announcement that young Bukayo Saka has signed a new long-term contract with the club. He celebrated the new deal with a sharply-taken goal in Saturday’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and looks likely to start again against Leicester. The 18-year-old has impressed in a number of roles this year, featuring as wing-back, central midfielder and wide forward in his debut season.

Arsenal are also believed to be close to agreeing a deal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to remain at the club. The Gabon international became the fastest Arsenal player to 50 Premier League goals with a brace against Norwich City and remains in the hunt for this season’s Golden Boot. He is currently on 19 goals, two shy of current leader Jamie Vardy.

Vardy’s form this season has mirrored Leicester’s and looked to be tailing off after an impressive start. The 33-year-old forward has only scored four league goals in 2020 but his brace in a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday brought up a century of Premier League goals for the Englishman. That win was Leicester’s second in their last nine league games and their first since the restart.

Yet despite that poor form the Foxes are still third in the league and look likely to qualify for the Champions League for just the second time in their history. In the build up to the game at the Emirates Stadium Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers said he had “no doubt” that his side were good enough to finish in the top four but the form of Chelsea, Manchester United and Wolves has closed the gap considerably.

Arsenal vs Leicester City: Injuries and Suspensions

Arsenal have suffered a number of injuries since the restart but picked up no new concerns in the win over Wolves. Nicolas Pepe missed the last game due to the birth of his first child but is back in contention for Tuesday.

Mesut Özil was absent again against Wolves and will face a late fitness test to see if he is fit to return from a back injury. Matteo Guendouzi has not featured since the 2-1 defeat to Brighton for “squad management” purposes and seems unlikely to return.

Long-term injuries to Bernd Leno, Gabriel Martinelli, Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers mean all are out for the remainder of the season.

Leicester’s win against Palace was marred by injuries to Ben Chilwell and Ayoze Perez who are unlikely to feature from the start at the Emirates. Perez may be fit enough for the bench after picking up a knock but Chilwell’s achilles injury appears more serious.

Midfielder James Maddison missed Leicester’s last game after aggravating a hip injury in the defeat to Everton and will require a fitness test. Ricardo Pereira and Daniel Amartey have both been ruled out.

Arsenal vs Leicester City: What the managers said

Mikel Arteta (Arsenal): “It's very clear what [Leicester] are trying to do. They are very dominant. They're one of the teams that has better possession in very difficult areas as well.

“They proved against big teams as well that they're going to sustain that influence against the stronger teams.”

Brendan Rodgers (Leicester City): “I think Mikel [Arteta] has done very well since he came in. There’s a huge expectation. It’s a huge task but he’s done very well. You can see the style. His courage to develop that and they’ve played a couple of different systems, but the style has always remained the same. The team is very organised.”

Prediction: Both sides have been forced into a change of system in recent weeks but appear to be returning to form for the all-important final few games. Arsenal have the firepower to hurt anyone and may be able to exploit Leicester’s defence which has looked shaky since the turn of the year. It promises to be an exciting game, with the home side likely to be narrow victors. 2-1