Arsenal Aims to Narrow the Gap Against Struggling Leicester City
When Arsenal takes on struggling Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, they have a golden opportunity to inch closer to Premier League leaders Liverpool. Despite a recent setback in the League Cup, the Gunners have been on a remarkable run in the league, remaining unbeaten in their last 14 matches. However, their prospects for this game have been dampened by the news that Kai Havertz suffered a hamstring injury during a training session in Dubai, effectively ending his season. This blow is significant, but the team’s recent form suggests that they have the resilience and depth to weather this storm.
Leicester’s Struggle for Survival
Leicester City, on the other hand, is in a dire situation, battling for their Premier League survival. A victory could be the lifeline they need to escape the bottom three, but they haven’t won a league game at home since their narrow triumph over West Ham on December 3. The Foxes have been plagued by a series of injuries, with Jamie Vardy’s fitness being a critical concern. Vardy, known for his goal-scoring prowess and history of tormenting Arsenal, has 11 Premier League goals against the Gunners, trailing only Wayne Rooney (12) and Harry Kane (14). Other key players, including Jannik Vestergaard, Victor Kristiansen, and Ricardo Pereira, are also nursing injuries, further weakening their lineup. Abdul Fatawu’s season is over due to a long-term knee injury, adding to the club’s woes.
Predicted Lineups and Team News
For Leicester City, the predicted lineup looks something like this:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Goalkeeper: Danny Ward
- Defenders: Luke Thomas, Wesley Fofana, Timothy Castagne, Pazyhernyak Hermansen
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Yves Bissouma
- Forwards: Harvey Barnes, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ayoze Pérez, Jamie Vardy (if fit)
Injured: Vestergaard, Kristiansen, Pereira, Souttar, Fatawu
Suspended: None
Arsenal’s lineup is also impacted by a string of injuries:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale
- Defenders: William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Nuno Tavares, Ben White (if fit)
- Midfielders: Martin Ødegaard, Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey
- Forwards: Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka (if fit)
Injured: Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli
Suspended: None
Watching the Match: Live Stream and TV Channel
For fans in the UK, this Premier League clash is available for live TV broadcast on TNT Sports 1. Streaming options are also available on Discovery+, the Discovery App, and TNT Sports Ultimate. The game kicks off at 12:30 p.m. local time (GMT) on Saturday, February 15. This midday kickoff ensures that it won’t clash with other major matches, making it a focal point for supporters tuning in from around the world.
Injury Woes and Squad Depth
Arsenal’s squad depth will be severely tested in this game. The loss of Kai Havertz is a significant blow, as he has been a key player in their midfield. Gabriel Martinelli, who picked up a hamstring issue during their second-leg defeat to Newcastle, will also miss the game, adding to the team’s attacking woes. Mikel Arteta’s attacking options are already stretched thin due to the long-term injuries of Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka. This leaves Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri, and Raheem Sterling to carry the load up front. The backline isn’t faring much better, with Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury run potentially leading to knee surgery. However, there’s a glimmer of hope as Ben White was seen in full training in Dubai, indicating he might be close to his first squad appearance since November.
Match Prediction and Premier League Fixtures
With Arsenal’s attacking options looking thinner than ever, their defensive solidity might be the key to securing a win at the King Power Stadium. Leicester may have shown some promise in their recent match at Old Trafford, but facing a well-organized and disciplined Arsenal side is a different challenge altogether. Despite their injury woes, Arteta’s team has shown resilience and consistency, and a convincing victory seems within reach.
The Premier League fixture schedule this week is packed with exciting matches:
- Friday, February 14: Brighton vs. Chelsea at 8 p.m. GMT
- Saturday, February 15:
- Leicester vs. Arsenal at 12:30 p.m. GMT
- West Ham vs. Brentford at 3 p.m. GMT
- Southampton vs. Bournemouth at 3 p.m. GMT
- Aston Villa vs. Ipswich Town at 3 p.m. GMT
- Manchester City vs. Newcastle United at 3 p.m. GMT
- Fulham vs. Nottingham Forest at 3 p.m. GMT
- Crystal Palace vs. Everton at 5:30 p.m. GMT
- Sunday, February 16:
- Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers at 2 p.m. GMT
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United at 4:30 p.m. GMT
As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on these matches, particularly the Leicester vs. Arsenal game, which could significantly impact the league standings and the relegation battle.
