Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Leicester - Premier League

I really enjoyed Wednesday night. More of those, please. The heart could do with some restraint.

Arsenal's Hale Enders ensured the midweek Carabao Cup tie against League One Bolton was both wholesome and a lot of fun. A 5-1 win means the Gunners will face Preston in the fourth round, and Mikel Arteta will have another chance to deploy some of the club's young guns.

Many, however, are desperate to see a certain 17-year-old in the starting XI on Saturday as the newly promoted and winless Leicester visit the Emirates. While every Premier League fixture boasts a unique challenge, this is certainly an encounter in which Ethan Nwaneri could look comfortable.

Will Arteta hand the teenager his first Premier League start off the back of his fine performance in midweek? Here's the team we think the boss will pick.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Leicester

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Neto (GK) - David Raya's been great, but Arteta wasn't overly optimistic over the goalkeeper's status for Saturday's game. Let's not risk him given that Paris Saint-Germain are visiting the Emirates on Tuesday night.

Jurrien Timber (RB) - While Arteta was bearish on his goalkeeper's fitness, he was bullish over Timber, who was forced off late on at the Etihad and subsequently missed Wednesday's game. The full-back should be okay to start on Saturday.

William Saliba (CB) - Saliba wasn't quite able to put his feet up in midweek, but he did nonetheless earn a deserved early-season breather. He continues in the Premier League XI.

Gabriel (CB) - There were minutes for the big centre-half on Wednesday - just a small cameo, mind. Gabriel has played a major role in Arsenal's unbeaten start to the new season.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - It was quite the maiden start for Calafiori in Arsenal colours last week, and we can expect the courageous Italian to be heavily involved down the left against a deep Leicester backline.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (DM) - Partey has shown that he's still got something to offer this project, even if vintage performances are arriving few and far between. Until Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard return, Partey is the best option at the base of midfield.

Declan Rice (CM) - Wednesday's outing should give Rice a minor boost given that he hasn't quite clicked into gear at the start of the new season. He'll be tasked with crashing the box plenty in this one.

Ethan Nwaneri (CM) - That's right, he's in. It's what we all want to see, right? Go on, Mikel. Give the kid his first Premier League start.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - An early withdrawal last Sunday allowed Saka to get through 70 minutes against Bolton, although many would argue that Wednesday's start was unnecessary given the amount of football he'll be expected to play this season. Saka and that fierce inswinging corner will both be present on Saturday.

Kai Havertz (ST) - With Arteta (hopefully) going bold with Nwaneri, Havertz will return to the frontline having spent the last few outings in a less preferred midfield role. The German scored his third goal of the season against Bolton.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - Last week's showing against Man City was a big step in the right direction for Martinelli, who's had a tough 2024 thus far. He still needs a goal, though. Perhaps his moment will arrive against the Foxes?

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