16:34 GMT 16:34
3 min: While Arsenal were in possession for most of the first two minutes, Leicester had already shown their intentions with high-octane pressure at the goal. A panicked pass from the Arsenal defense flips the ball. Otherwise, quiet start.
16:27 GMT 16:27
Both teams are on the Emirates field. We are within walking distance.
16:15 GMT 16:15
Brendan Rodgers on Sky Sports:
“Mickel did a great job after a difficult start. Now they have this cohesion and players who can make a difference. It’s a real challenge, but we came here last year and won.”
15:56 GMT 15:56
Mikel Arteta decided not to change Arsenal’s starting XI from last weekend when they beat Watford. As expected, Smith Rowe returns to the bench.
Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers made three substitutions since the win over Leeds, with Vardy out with injury and Tielemans and Ndidi starting on the bench. Ihenacho, Pereira and Mendy take their places in the starting lineup.
15:49 GMT 15:49
Teams:
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Jaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette
Subs: Leno, Smith Rowe, Holding, Pepe, Tavares, Lokonga, Elneni, Nketiah, Swanson.
Leicester XI: Schmeichel; Pereira, Amartei, Soyunju, Thomas; Maddison, Mendy, Dewsbury Hall; Albrighton, Ihenacho, Barnes
Substitutes: Justin, Tielemans, Perez, Chowdhury, Vestergaard, Ndidi, Daka, Yakupovich, Lukman.
15:30 GMT 15:30
Jamie Vardy 11 goals against Arsenal is the second highest of any player scored against Arsenal in the Premier League, only behind Wayne Rooney’s 12 goals. He will play no role today after being ruled out this week for continuing to recover from a blow to his knee.
15:30 GMT 15:30
Meanwhile, Leicester’s Mark Albrighton had this to say about Arsenal:
“They had a really good season and they really stepped up the defense. They have some good young players ahead of them. It’s going to be a tough game, but we’re looking forward to it and it’s a great opportunity for ourselves.
“Of course I watch a lot of Premier League football and you can see how good they are. They have some good young English talent, which is good for England and Arsenal itself. They seem full of confidence at the moment, so it won’t be easy, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
(via LCFC TV)
15:30 GMT 15:30
At his Friday press conference, Mikel Arteta spoke about Leicester.
Well, I agree that they were much more consistent in terms of performances and results. This is a team that has come a long way and I think Brendan [Rodgers] and the coaching staff have done an exceptional job, they also have a lot of injuries, I believe this season, plus the Covid issues that we all went through, it’s a difficult mix and it’s been difficult for all the managers, but as you said, that they are at their best right now.
Emile Smith-Rowe returned to the team today after being pulled out due to Covid, but Arteta said Arsenal are being “cautious” with Takehiro Tomiyasu.
15:30 GMT 15:30
Preamble
Hey! Welcome to our review of today’s match between Arsenal and Leicester City. With Arsenal looking to continue their fight for the top four today, Leicester will look to get back into the top half of the table after falling to 12.
Arsenal are returning home in good spirits and looking forward to their fifth successive Premier League win. Last week, a tight run in their 3-2 away win over Watford did not fully reflect the joy and cohesion with which they played, scoring three beautiful goals and doing so with their group of young stars, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegor. heart of all the best for them.
With Manchester United’s victory over Tottenham, they are two points behind United in fourth place but with four games to spare. In the last 10 games, Arsenal, along with Manchester City, have scored the most points in the league. Let’s see if they can keep that shape.
Meanwhile, 12th is not where most people expected Leicester City to be this year and it has been a disappointing season. However, they arrive at the Emirates with at least some winning habits in recent weeks.
With the caveat that they faced two sides, Leeds and Burnley, vying for relegation, Leicester have won their last two Premier League games and are looking to win their fifth consecutive victory in all competitions. Like Arsenal, they have only played 25 games so far and could catch up on some teams ahead of them.
Updated at 15:51 GMT.