Another away game and another must win as Unai Emery's side travel up to former Premier League Champions Leicester City, knowing all three points are a must. The pressure is on but with United to play Chelsea just a few hours after, a win could prove to be massive in the hunt for a top four finish.
After yet another set of changes to his starting XI, Emery needs to work out exactly what he's looking to achieve against Brendan Rogers' men. And by this, I don't mean a win - he needs to understand who is best to break down Leicester's rigid defence but dynamic enough to work hard and prevent their dangerous counter. It sounds obvious but over the last two Premier League games, Emery has got his starting shape so wrong and then spends the rest of each game playing catch up. Personnel wise, it hasn't been great either and a lot of players need a reality check from the last few games. It just hasn't been good enough for Arsenal Football Club.
Arsenal's injuries issues may have eased a little as (although not injured) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should be available again after missing the mid week game after a minor sinus procedure. A bit farcical for something deemed minor but that's an issue for another day. Denis Suarez's injury seems to be improving as he's now being assessed ahead of tomorrow - although it is assumed tomorrow will come too soon. Aaron Ramsey remains out for now whist long term absentees Danny Welbeck and Rob Holding are back on the pitch recovery but Hector Bellerin is a little further out, still in the gym rehabbing. Beyond this five, Emery has a plenty of options, and with the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock pushing for a place in the match day eighteen, there is certainly healthy competition. Unfortunately, it seems to stop there and the Gunners look to be lacking fight and desire. It has to change.
Leicester head into their final three games of the season with no new injury concerns with midfielder Daniel Amartey the only absentee, with a leg break. Brendan Rogers is still implementing his system at the club but you can see a gradual change in their identity of late. These things don't happen overnight, as we've learned at Arsenal, but Leicester remain open to change and certainly have the tools to do so. Jamie Vardy remains their biggest threat; still blessed with pace and canny knack of being able to finish under pressure, he'll be a real handful for Koscielny and co. England midfielder James Maddison is the Foxes' biggest creative influence, and in the number ten position, he really has chance to dictate. Its no coincidence that he's being monitored by some of the league's top six clubs as he has the talent to really press on and control games. He too is quick across the ground and quick footed enough to cause all sorts of problems. At the back, the hosts remain strong with Maguire, Morgan and Evans as three solid options in the centre.
Expected line up:
GK: Bernd Leno
CB: Sokratis
CB: Laurent Koscielny
CB: Nacho Monreal
RWB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CM: Granit Xhaka
CM: Lucas Torreira
LWB: Sead Kolasinac
RF: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
LF: Mesut Ozil
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: 2-0 win for the Arsenal as Unai Emery's mean grab a much needed away win.
@craigbennett10
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