Arsenal go in search of a first home win of the new Premier League season when they welcome Leicester City to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Last week, the Gunners' impressive pre-season form continued as they recorded a hard-fought 2-0 win away at London rivals Crystal Palace in their opening game of the 2022/23 campaign. The win came thanks to Gabriel Martinelli's first-half header and an own goal from Marc Guehi.
Now the task for Arsenal is to continue down this path, and their chances of recording back-to-back wins have been boosted with confirmation that summer signing Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe are in contention after missing the victory at Selhurst Park through injury.
After an excellent performance against Crystal Palace in the opening game of the season, it would be strange for Mikel Arteta to alter the line-up. For this reason, he must keep the team how it was.
Despite Takehiro Tomiyasu ready for being ready for selection again, Ben White deserves to start due to how well he performed against Wilfried Zaha in the opening game of the season. William Saliba deserves to start at centre-back following his dominance alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in the season's opening match.
The midfield currently picks itself with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka in a more defensive pivot to give the defence the needed protection. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was exceptional at home against Leicester last season and must start to replicate that performance potentially.
New signing Gabriel Jesus should lead the line for Arsenal with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka supporting him from the wing positions giving the Gunners the needed directness in wide areas.
Keogh's Arsenal XI vs Leicester City: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Martinelli, Saka, Jesus
Bench: Turner, Tomiyasu, Tierney, Elneny, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Nketiah, Vieira, Marquinhos
Kaya Kaynak - Arsenal Writer
I wouldn't look to make too many changes after finding a winning formula last week. For me, Aaron Ramsdale is an obvious pick in goal, and the back four in front of him was very effective last time out.
I think the one change I would make there would be to bring Kieran Tierney back into the side to try and directly attack the right side of Leicester's defence as much as possible. The Foxes aren't great at defending aerially either, so I think his crossing could cause problems.
I wouldn't change the midfield three of Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka or Martin Odegaard, although I'd definitely be looking to bring Fabio Vieira into the fray at some point in the second half.
Up front, I don't see a need to rush Emile Smith Rowe back when Gabriel Martinelli netted last time out. Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka to the right of him are more obvious picks.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Leicester City: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Bench: Turner, Tomiyasu, Holding, Zinchenko, Lokonga, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Nketiah
Tom Canton - The Arsenal Way Writer
If it isn't broken, don't fix it. It really is that simple for me, and the main discussion should turn to who doesn't make the squad rather than the starting eleven.
The fact Arsenal have reached this position is an excellent indication of the work going on to strengthen both the first team and the wider group. Mikel Arteta and Edu have worked hard to move on the surplus players deemed not good enough and bring in strength in depth.
With the line-up, the same, and the potential for Emile Smith Rowe, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Fabio Vieira all in with a chance of making it, for me, Cedric Soares and Rob Holding both miss out. Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney offer enough cover at the back, whilst Mohamed Elneny and Sambi Lokonga offer plenty in the middle for differing options.
Having Nicolas Pepe, Eddie Nketiah, Smith-Rowe and Vieira all available from the bench, suddenly, the attacking options are quite the statement. Arteta has plenty he can choose from in a side that is starting to get everyone talking.
Canton's Arsenal XI vs Leicester City: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Jesus
Bench: Turner; Tomiyasu, Tierney, Elneny, Loko
nga, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Pepe, Nketiah
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