Arsenal vs Leicester City
A Sunday night Premier League clash is a rare thing – or at least it was until COVID-19 arrived and the schedule of fixtures changed.
One thing that hasn’t changed though is the reel of Premier League highlights with only one goalless draw in the league so far this season at the time of writing – although that possibly says as much for woeful defending as it does great attacking.
That attacking is set to continue as fifth meets fourth at the Emirates as two clubs who qualified for the Europa League last term aim to go one better this.
Talking Points
Over the past week, Arsenal have again showed glimpses of their improvement under boss Mikel Arteta.
After going down narrowly to defeat at Man City last weekend, they came from behind to win at Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday night.
In that match, there was much praise for new £45-million Gunners’ signing Thomas Partey.
After his late cameo against City, he made his full debut in Austria, impressing throughout and Arteta is excited by what is to come from the Ghana international.
I expect him to start in this game for the hosts who will assess Willian and Dani Ceballos, who were absent against Rapid with minor injuries, while Rob Holding is out with a hamstring strain.
Mesut Ozil and Sokratis have not been selected in the Gunners’ Premier League squad – the former the subject of much debate in recent days.
The one-time German international looks certain to have played his last game for the club with Arteta admitting he ‘takes the blame for failing to get the best’ out of the player who has since hit out at a perceived lack of loyalty from Arsenal.
Leicester, who also had a successful Europa League opener on Thursday, will monitor Jamie Vardy who has missed their last two league and cup games with a calf problem.
If he doesn’t make it, his absence will be an undoubted blow for the Foxes who the England frontman clearly revels playing against the north Londoners.
He has scored 10 Premier League goals against Arsenal – only Wayne Rooney, with 12 has netted more versus the Gunners.
Ricardo Pereira, Caglar Soyuncu, Daniel Amartey and Wilfred Ndidi are all injured for the visitors.
That means Wesley Fofana is set to continue starting in central defence alongside Jonny Evans after making the £32-million move from Saint-Etienne in the summer.
Arsenal, who have not lost a Premier League home game in 2020 with a run of 11 matches since defeat by Chelsea late last year, will start as favourites.
They have won eight of their past nine top-flight matches at the Emirates but interestingly, the exception was against Leicester three months ago.
History
You have to go back to 1973 for the last time Leicester won on Arsenal turf.
For those who like to reminisce, that September afternoon at Highbury saw the Foxes win 2-0 at Highbury, courtesy of goals from Len Glover and Mike Stringfellow.
Among the players that day for the visitors were England great Peter Shilton and the charismatic forward Frank Worthington.
Leicester’s most notable result at the home of the Gunners since then was a 0-0 draw in the FA Cup third round in 2000. Leicester won the replay on penalties after another goalless draw.
Arsenal have won 67 of their clashes since the very first meeting in 1895 in the old League Division Two when Leicester Fosse defeated Woolwich Arsenal 3-1.
Leicester have 32 successes and a further 45 meetings have ended all square.
The corresponding fixture last term was only played in July and ended 1-1 as Vardy’s equaliser cancelled out Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s opener. The earlier fixture had seen Leicester win 2-0 at home with Vardy and James Maddison the scorers.
The sides have already met this season of course, when Arsenal won 2-0 in the East Midlands in the third round of the League Cup courtesy of an own goal and Eddie Nketiah.
Betting Tip
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Arsenal vs Leicester City | First Half Arsenal 1X2 @ 2.62 |
| October 26, 03:15 (GMT+8) |
You can back Arsenal 1X2 @ 1.96 or First Half 1X2 @ 2.62 with the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds.
The Foxes are available to tip @ 3.60 and First Half 1X2 @ 4.30. The draw – which was the outcome in the corresponding fixture last term – is on offer @ 3.50.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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