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Leicester City vs Arsenal | Preview | Team News, Stats & Key Men

On August 20th, Arsenal travel to the King Power Stadium to take on reigning champions Leicester City.  Last years’ top two have both got off to losing starts with Leicester losing 3-1 away to Hull City and Arsenal losing 4-3 at home to Liverpool.  With both teams aiming to finish high up the table again this year, they’ll both be looking to rebound from their sub par starts with wins.

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Team News

Leicester City have no one missing through injury, but they will be without centre-back Robert Huth, who is still serving a suspension he picked up last season.

Arsenal have quite a few injury problems.  Alex Iwobi and Aaron Ramsey both picked up injuries against Liverpool and will miss out, but should be back after the international break.  Danny Welbeck, Per Mertesacker, and Gabriel will all miss out through long term injuries, while the status of Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud, and Laurent Koscielny are unknown as they try to return to fitness following their exploits at the Euros.

Interesting Statistics

  • Arsenal were the only team to beat Leicester twice last season and were one of only two teams to beat them at all last season.
  • Arsenal have not lost to Leicester in a Premier League match since November of 1994.
  • Their 5-2 win at the King Power last season did end a run of only one win in their last five visits to Leicester.
  • Jamie Vardy will look to continue his good run of form against the Gunners after he scored three goals in the two meetings last season, including two goals at the King Power Stadium.

Key Players

Leicester: Jamie Vardy

After winning the Premier League with Leicester City last season, Jamie Vardy had a chance to join Arsenal this summer.  He ended up turning the Gunners down and signing a new contract with the Foxes. The 29 year old declined the chance to move to a traditional powerhouse to stay with the team that made him great and see what more he could do there.  After tormenting the Gunners on the pitch last year, scoring all three goals Leicester scored, and off the pitch this summer, the Englishman will hop to ruin Arsenal’s day yet again.

Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez

After Arsenal went 1-0 down in this fixture last season, Alexis Sanchez finally kick-started his season.  The Chilean grabbed a hat-trick at the King Power last season to help lift Arsenal over the future champions by a score of 5-2.  The season prior to last, Sanchez scored his first Premier League goal away to Leicester, albeit in a 1-1 draw rather than a win.  The Chilean will look to keep his hot streak at the King Power going after a rather indifferent start to the season against Liverpool.  Arsenal will need him to get firing if they are to win the Premier League this season.

Prediction

After both teams suffered opening day losses, both teams are desperate for wins here, but the Gunners probably need one more.  Claudio Ranieri has admitted that this season will be difficult and that their chances to repeat as Champions are slim.  Arsene Wenger on the other hand has a target on his back and needs to win the Premier League this season to appease some of the Arsenal fans.  While both teams need a win, neither can really afford a loss, either.  This looks destined to be a tight affair that ends in a draw.

Prediction: 1-1 Draw

thejerseyfitz
thejerseyfitz
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