After the long international break the Gunners welcome mid table Leicester City to the Emirates Stadium. With both clubs having had players jetting all round the world over the last week or so, the teams (and managers) will surely be happy with an extra day or two's prep culminating in a Monday night, 8pm kick off.
The international break however did bring a few nice treats to Arsenal, having seen Mesut Ozil, Danny Welbeck and Ainsley Maitland-Niles all return to full training, with the latter being the least likely to make the squad for Monday night - having been out since August, a week or so's training may not enough for the academy graduate. Sokratis seems to be out as he's ranked as a doubt for the match having picked up an injury whilst playing for Greece which could mean we see Rob Holding step up again. The young Englishman has impressed well when called upon so far this season and has struck up a decent looking partnership with fellow centre back Mustafi. With Jamie Vardy in town too, Emery may opt to leave the not so quick Sokratis out even if he ends up being fit. It is a similar situation with Petr Cech, who is also a doubt. However, Bernd Leno 100% deserves to keep his place, regardless of Cech's fitness. The unfortunate injury to Cech was exactly what Leno needed to get his foot in the door. He has played well since coming in and should continue between the sticks against Vardy and co on Monday night.
Stepping into midfield, we may see a change or two, or maybe even a change to the shape. Having looked to have gone with a more traditional 4-4-2 last time out away at Fulham, Emery is likely to revert back to a more fluid 4-2-3-1, with Lucas Torreira alongside Granit Xhaka in the engine room again. The left side is likely to be where Aubameyang starts from, with the in-form Lacazette to start up the middle. That leaves the third midfield spot and the right hand side up for grabs, with the likes of Ozil, Ramsey, Iwobi and Mkhitaryan all battling it out. All deserve a starting place to be perfectly honest which is a great headache for Unai Emery. I would however, especially being at home, expect to see Mesut Ozil be one of the starters with his guile and creativity usually being key to unlocking away team defences at the Emirates.
Although pretty one dimensional, Leicester are a dangerous opposition, especially away from home. That man Jamie Vardy remains the biggest tool in the Leicester kit, and loves a goal against Arsenal. He'll be looking to be freed on the counter attack with a ball over the top so a certain Hector Bellerin needs to be prepared to cover and use his pace to match Vardy stride for stride. Leno should, however, be more confident than Cech in coming out and sweeping up outside his box. The Foxes will be without skipper Wes Morgan who's missing through suspension, whilst midfielder Matty James and winger Demarai Gray are both out through injury. New England left back Ben Chilwell has returned fit from international duty and will be filled with confidence going into this one, having just signed a new long term contract. The left hand side of Leicester's defence is by far the most solid with Maguire and Chilwell having struck quite the relationship, for club and for country. Our right midfielder on the day should be aware that they give little away and must be at the top of his game to overcome them.
Arsenal fans have been treated with the Foxes in recent years, often seeing action packed games, stacked with goals, cards and all round drama. Remember that Danny Welbeck header - a flick off the lid and with seconds to go finds the net to send the home fans potty. That game, that momentum and that result was exactly what the club needed to kick on, and although we should have never lost the title to a team like Leicester, it was Arsenal's highest finish for a number of years, and another finish above the Spuds. Those days seem long gone now but games against Leicester often spark a fight and a togetherness that show Arsenal as a team of brothers, rather than a team of colleagues, and a team of men and fighters, rather than a team of boys being overwhelmed by the big imposing figures of Morgan and Huth. It may be Emery's first clash with the Foxes but there are enough Gunners in the home dressing room that know what is required to get past Leicester. Hard work, composure and creative but patient attacking football will win Arsenal this game, and a tenth win on the bounce. Having won all of the last eleven games against Leicester at home (with a scare or two), it is fully expected that Arsenal win this Alan Smith derby and re-enter the top four of the Premier League. Expect goals!
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
CB: Rob Holding
LB: Nacho Monreal
CDM: Lucas Torreira
CDM: Granit Xhaka
RW: Alex Iwobi
CAM: Mesut Ozil
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
ST: Alex Lacazette
Prediction: 3-1 win to the Arsenal. Lacazette and Aubameyang both to score. I expect Vardy to nab his customary Emirates goal as well.
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