Arsenal kick-off their Premier League campaign against Leicester City on Friday and they would do everything to avoid an opening game loss, which has been a custom for them now. Arsene Wenger has asked his side to keep their momentum going from their win on Sunday and they would hope to keep it that way.
Predicted 3-4-2-1 Arsenal Lineup vs Leicester City
Defence
The position under the bar should be taken by Petr Cech again. The experienced goalie ended the previous campaign in top form and has fortunately continued the flow in Arsenal’s pre-season as well as in the FA Community Shield win. Arsene Wenger has no reason to keep him out of the side unless late fitness concerns emerge.
The back-three is likely to feature Rob Holding, Shkodran Mustafi and Nacho Monreal. The German international was rested for Arsenal’s game against Chelsea on Sunday and will start the season against the Foxes on Friday. Monreal looked composed as ever on the big day and Wenger would stick with him although there will be concerns with Holding, who lost the ball occasionally in the Community Shield game.
However, the French gaffer will have little choice as Laurent Koscielny remains suspended for two games and Per Mertesacker still dressing his cut above the eye. Gabriel Paulista is still recovering from his knee injury.
Midfield
Wenger doesn’t have much of a choice in the midfield either. With Francis Coquelin struggling to come back from his ankle ligament damage and Aaron Ramsey a doubt for the game, we expect him to stick with his weekend duo of Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny. With Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla also out, Arsenal remain short of options in their spine.
The wing backs are expected to be Sead Kolasinac and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Hector Bellerin has looked rusty in the past two games (Emirates Cup and Community Shield). Chamberlain remains Wenger’s biggest weapon at the moment who has excelled wherever he has been asked to play and Sead Kolasinac’s heroics last game should earn him a first team chance in the left wing-back role.
Attack
It has always been a close affair for Arsenal against Leicester City. The Foxes always try to wait it out against them with congested defending and hitting on the counter. Arsenal are unlikely to unlock their defence through pace as they would hardly get space in their defensive third.
We expect Wenger to pick Giroud as the centre-forward who will play a supporting role for Alexandre Lacazette and Alex Iwobi. The perfect long balls from Xhaka and Cech can be perfectly brought down by the towering Frenchman for the playmakers to pick the spot.
Arsenal will miss Alexis Sanchez dearly as the Chilean recovers from an abdominal strain and Mesut Ozil also remains a doubt for the game.
