Leicester City vs. Arsenal lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news, injuries: How will Arteta solve striker problem?

Arsenal travel to Leicester City in the Premier League this week after a short break in Dubai that threw up more concerns for manager Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners come into this game seven points behind league leaders Liverpool, but their title hopes were given a little boost thanks to James Tarkowski’s dramatic late equaliser against the Reds in Wednesday’s Merseyside derby.

Yet the Londoners are facing an injury crisis in attack, which was compounded this week when Kai Havertz reportedly suffered a hamstring issue that could keep him out for the rest of the season. Arteta’s options to replace his regular No. 9  are looking very limited.

By contrast, Leicester received some positive news from the treatment room this week as Ruud van Nistelrooy attempts to put together a team capable of maintaining Premier League status. They did at least produced a decent performance away to Manchester United in the FA Cup last week, only to lose thanks to Harry Maguire’s controversial late

Leicester City vs. Arsenal lineups, predicted starting 11, team news

Van Nistelrooy reported good news on the injury front this week, with Jamie Vardy, Victor Kristiansen and Jannik Vestergaard all passed fit after returning to full training.

The return of Vardy is especially welcome given the Foxes have only scored four goals in their past nine league matches. The veteran striker has a decent record against Arsenal, scoring 11 times in 17 league meetings.

Ricardo Pereira is on track with his recovery but is not expected back until the end of the month. Issahaku Fatawu is out for the season.

Leicester City predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Hermansen (GK) — Justin, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen — Ndidi, Soumare — De Cordova-Reid, El Khannouss, Ayew — Vardy

Injured: Pereira (thigh), Fatawu (knee)

Suspended: None

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Arsenal’s concerns in attack were compounded this week by the loss of Kai Havertz to a hamstring injury that could rule him out for the season.

With Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus also sidelined, Arteta may have to get creative with his attacking lineup over the coming weeks. Leandro Trossard will potentially start at centre-forward here, supported by Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri.

Ben White has a chance of making the matchday squad after weeks out with a knee problem.

Arsenal predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly — Odegaard, Partey, Rice — Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling

Injured: Havertz (hamstring), Saka (hamstring), Martinelli (hamstring), Jesus (knee), Tomiyasu (knee), White (knee, doubt)

Suspended: None

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