Arsenal take on Leicester to kick start 2017/18 PL season
Kick-off : 6:45 PM (Local)
Venue : Emirates Stadium, London
Referee : Mike Dean
It will be for the very first time that a Premier League season will be kicking-off on a Friday. Both the teams will be boasting their summer arrivals.
The expensive signing Alexandre Lacazette will lead the line in the Premier League for the first time. Alexis Sanchez will be staying this summer.
The new foxes signing of Harry Maguire will be looking to impress. While Riyad Mahrez will play from the off this weekend.
The Gunners haven’t lost to Leicester in the league since 1994. It will be an occasion both teams will be looking to get victories on as last season both lost their opening fixtures.
Team news and possible line-ups
Mesut Ozil is a doubt for Arsenal in this game as he is injured with ankle injury. While Alexis Sanchez who missed the pre-season due to Confederations Cup commitments will also likely miss.
Francis Coquelin is unlikely to feature although he hopes to be fit. Santi Cazorla, Gabriel Paulista and Jack Wilshere remain sidelined.
Aaron Ramsey is having calf trouble and will likely miss out but Per Mertesacker should be fine to play.
As for Leicester, Riyad Mahrez should feature but it’s Craig Shakespeare’s call.
Danny Drinkwater and Robert Huth will be missing for the foxes while Islam Slimani is still recovering from leg injury.
Kelechi Iheanacho is lacking match fitness, though Harry Maguire should start.
Another new signing Vicente Iborra and Matty James who has recovered from injury will start for the foxes.
Arsenal starting XI : Cech, Mustafi, Holding, Monreal, Bellerin, Xhaka, Elneny, Kolasinac, Sanchez, Iwobi, Lacazette.
Leicester City starting XI : Schmeichel, Simpson, Maguire, Morgan, Fuchs, Mahrez, James, Iborra, Ndidi, Albrighton, Vardy.
Prediction
Arsenal have a better record against Leicester City, so it wouldn’t be wrong in saying that they are the favorites. Having home advantage is another plus. So, I am predicting Arsenal to win 3-1.
