How Arsenal could line up against Leicester with Smith Rowe available after catching Covid but Tomiyasu out

ARSENAL can strengthen their pursuit for Champions League football with a win against Leicester.

The Gunners host Brendan Rodgers’ 12th-placed under-performers sitting in the top four, a point above Manchester United with three games in hand.

Arsenal are looking for their fifth win on the bounce having most recently beaten Watford 3-2.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were among the goals that day and are expected to keep their place in the starting 11.

Following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure to Barcelona, it has afforded Alexandre Lacazette a lead role up front again.

Martin Odegaard, who opened the scoring against Norwich, is also likely to keep his place in the No10 role.

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We look at the numbers behind claim Arsenal are worst Prem team without ball

Arsenal have been boosted with the return of Emile Smith Rowe, who could play out wide or in an advanced midfield role but is more likely to feature from the bench.

Martinelli could also be deployed centrally, replacing Lacazette, if Smith Rowe starts out wide.

Eddie Nketiah and Nicolas Pepe, who came on at Vicarage Road, are other contenders fit to start.

Arteta will be with regular midfield duo Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka, though Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga are alternatives.

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The Gunners will be expected to keep the same back line with Kieran Tierney and Cedric Soares at full-back.

Meanwhile Gabriel and Ben White will keep their place in a central defensive partnership.

Nuno Tavares is an alternate at full-back but Takehiro Tomiyasu is ruled out while Rob Holding is fit to contend for a place at centre-back.

Keeper Aaron Ramsdale is also likely to keep his place ahead of German Bernd Leno.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

How Arsenal could line up against Leicester with Smith Rowe available after catching Covid but Tomiyasu out

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We look at the numbers behind claim Arsenal are worst Prem team without ball

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