Arsenal travel to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City on game week two of the new 2016/17 season. Both teams have lost their opening fixtures and are desperate for points to open their account. Arsenal have a lot of injury problems and would hope that they can get the better of the champions of last year in the tie. Let’s look at the possible first XI for the game.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper
Petr Cech would definitely be starting the match for Arsenal in goal as he would look to redeem himself after conceding four in the opening weekend.
Right-Back
Hector Bellerin would feature in the right-back slot for the Gunners once again. Bellerin would be called upon to provide the attacking threat on the overlap from the right-hand touchline as well as providing the cover tracking back to against the pace of Vardy and Musa.
Central Defender
After yet another shaky display against Liverpool Calum Chambers might find himself on the bench for this one with Rob Holding preferred to make another appearance in the heart of the defence.
Central Defender
Arsene Wenger would definitely be calling upon his best defender Laurent Koscielny for the away visit to King Power. Arsenal can’t afford another week of having a makeshift defence featuring two inexperienced players at the centre. Koscielny should start the game.
Left Back
Nacho Monreal should be preferred to complete the back four as Arsenal would need somebody who will be consistent and dependable enough to cover the left flank to provide the all-round gameplay the team would need for a positive result.
Defensive Midfielder
New Boy Granit Xhaka should be making his first start for the team against Leicester on Saturday. The away team would need him to be influential in keeping hold of possession and dictate the tempo from the base of the midfield.
Defensive Midfielder
Francis Coquelin would be preferred alongside the Swiss international as he can provide the added cover needed to the defenders as well and it will be a chance to observe how he can perform with the new signing which can be very significant for the season of the away side.
Right Attacking Midfielder/Right Winger
Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to start and continue with his good preseason form. Arsenal would be hoping that he can make a difference once again in the game. Would be an important player for the tie
Central Attacking Midfielder
With the injury to Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla should be starting in the number 10 role, something which he should have done last week against Liverpool, which could have saved Ramsey from getting injured and Arsenal from falling short on the opening day once again.
Left Attacking Midfielder/Left Winger
After a thoroughly ineffectual and sometimes comical performance as a striker, Alexis Sanchez should get back to his preferred position against The Foxes. The injury to Alex Iwobi means that there’s no one else to play in that role anyways so Alexis should be on the left flank.
Striker
Theo Walcott has played as the striker before on a lot of occasions and most importantly, last season at the King Power the Englishman played well in that role scoring an important goal for the Gunners in the process. Walcott should be the striker for the match on Saturday.
