Arsenal predicted lineup vs Leicester: Martinelli or Smith Rowe?

Arsenal are back after a week away from action as they host Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium for Sunday’s Premier League clash. Here is the predicted lineup.

In fine fettle heading into this one, nothing other than three points will suffice for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Taking on opposition who sit 12th in the Premier League table, irrespective of whether they’ve won four matches in a row or not, three points against a bottom half side at the Emirates Stadium is the minimum requirement.

As for selections, Arteta stated that the club “are still assessing” Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has been absent for a number of weeks now with some troubling calf problems. Cedric Soares has filled in well for him, and while there is still a small chance the first choice right-back could play, it’s a risk the manager may not want to take.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Leicester: Will Arteta select Gabriel Martinelli or Emile Smith Rowe for Sunday’s Premier League clash?

Just as with every week there is a welcome headache to have over who plays out on the left of the attack.

The past two matches have seen Gabriel Martinelli not at his fluid best. He’s been quieter, partly due to the change of role for Kieran Tierney, yet even on some less incisive days he can still pull out a thumping finish as he did at Vicarage Road.

Those performances could open the door for Emile Smith Rowe to return. Luck has not been on his side with injury followed by Covid ruling him out of the past two squads, but Arteta revealed he’s healthy and has been training with the squad over the past few days.

One player who won’t be featuring, however, is Jamie Vardy. Everyone is very happy about that.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – His performance against Watford was possibly his worst since joining Arsenal. There haven’t been many of those from him, and it won’t change his involvement on Sunday.

Cedric Soares (RB) – There is no reason to risk Tomiyasu, as much as fans would like him back. Meanwhile, Cedris has been doing well in his absence, even if he’s still guilty of some bizarre decisions on the ball.

Benjamin White (CB) – An absolute rock at the back who will comfortably go down as the most played player this season.

Gabriel (CB) – Hasn’t looked at his solid best lately, with some unusual sloppiness creeping into his game. Needs to tighten up.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – The aforementioned role change for Tierney has limited his output at the other end of the pitch, although at home he will be expected to have more joy going forward.

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Midfielders

Martin Odegaard (AM) – Fans of the narrative will be tuning in on Sunday to get a glimpse of Odegaard and James Maddison on the pitch together. Heavily linked with a move to north London over the summer, anyone eyeing his signing won’t be feeling aggrieved anymore.

Odegaard has been far superior. He is far superior.

Thomas Partey (DM) – Finding a level in a position that no other member of the squad could come close to matching, Partey’s importance can never be understated.

This is arguably his best form since joining the club. He’s owning the lone No. 6 role.

Granit Xhaka (AM) – While Watford wasn’t his finest game, it was nonetheless another solid outing from the Swiss who has been excellent ever since he returned to the side following an injury back in December.

Will keep his place. Of course.

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Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – Are we seeing the best of Saka because he isn’t being overused across multiple competitions at once? Quite possibly.

He’s still clocked up the second most minutes this season, yet the week long breaks seem to be benefiting him. He’s on another planet at the minute.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – Goals? Who needs goals?

Seven assists in his last nine Premier League games is a fine return for the Frenchman, who is playing his part in making the back of the net bulge for Arsenal, just in his own special way.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – Based on his performances over the last two games this might have been a time for Smith Rowe to come back in.

However, having scored that superb goal last time out and Smith Rowe likely to be missing some match sharpness, it is likely to be Martinelli who gets the nod from the start.