Arsenal predicted lineup vs Leicester: Who gets rested by Arteta?

The elation that followed a last-gasp winner against Benfica on Thursday night has to be swept aside as Arsenal travel to the Midlands to face Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday.

Leicester were also involved in Europa League action on Thursday, crashing out of the competition through a 2-0 loss at the hands of Slavia Prague. They’ll therefore likely be facing similar issues to Arsenal in terms of fatigued players.

Ahead of the lineup announcement tomorrow, the question on all Arsenal fan’s lips will be: which players are to be rested? Many have been calling for the likes of Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka to be pulled out of the limelight given just how much football the duo have played over the last fortnight.

However, the challenge Leicester will confront Arsenal with on Sunday can’t be underestimated. The Foxes are flying high in the Premier League once again impressively sitting in third place. In recent weeks, they’ve beaten both Liverpool and Aston Villa, two sides Arsenal have lost to this season, so the Gunners must be wary of the Leicester threat.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Leicester: Who gets rested by Mikel Arteta for Sunday’s Premier League clash?

Thus, for Mikel Arteta, what will be crucial is finding the correct balance. It is key that he doesn’t rotate to the extent that his team are left in a position which would allow Leicester to dominate at the King Power. After many an Arsenal fan reacted angrily to a pragmatic performance from a weakened Gunners side against Manchester City last week, Arteta will have to be wary of sparking a similar response if he rotates again.

As for injuries, Arsenal come into this game with an uncharacteristically clean medical record.

Onto the lineup.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – In goal, Bernd Leno will inevitably keep his place. He was at fault for neither Benfica goal on Thursday and will be hoping those in front of him do a better job of protecting him in Leicester tomorrow than they did in Athens a few days ago.

Çedric Soares (RB) – Tomorrow is representative of a huge opportunity for Çedric. Hector Bellerin has been poor lately, there’s no doubting that, and it feels like there’s a place up for grabs. Bellerin will get a rest after playing a lot of football lately, if Çedric steps in competently, it’s hard to see Bellerin winning his place back thereafter.

David Luiz (CB) – Against City last week, Arteta decided to rotate his centre-backs. He shouldn’t do the same this week. With Holding going through a rough patch and set to miss out via concussion, there’s simply no point risking Calum Chambers at right-centre-back who has played hardly any football this season. Luiz should keep his place.

Gabriel (CB) – Next to Luiz, Pablo Marì could potentially come in, but it’d be preferable not to break up the Luiz-Gabriel partnership, especially with Jamie Vardy on the scene. Marì is a good understudy but certainly isn’t someone I’d back to beat Leicester’s nippy forwards in a race. Keeping Gabriel in appears something of a necessity.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – As for left-back, Arsenal’s decision not to purchase cover for Kieran Tierney looks set to cause issues again this weekend. Tierney was brilliant against Benfica, grabbing a crucial goal, but he did look tired at times. In an ideal world, he’d be getting a rest against Leicester. However, that just isn’t possible. He has to play. Luckily, he’ll then get a week to rehabilitate ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Burnley next weekend.