Arsenal Predicted XI: Mikel Arteta’s possible starting line-up vs Leicester City

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday night as they face Leicester City at the Emirates. 

After defeat at Man City last time out, the Gunners got back to winning ways as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday.

In the league, Mikel Arteta’s side sit fifth having won three and lost two of their opening five matches.

The good news for the Spaniard though is that his side have won both of their home matches to date, beating West Ham and Sheffield United respectively.

But the visit of the Foxes will surely prove a tougher test with Brendan Rodgers’ side level on points and above them on goal difference in the table.

So which players will Arteta task with trying to chalk up another victory on Sunday night?

Here we predict the Arsenal head coach’s starting XI for his side’s match against Leicester…

Goalkeeper: Despite many – including us – predicting that Runar Alex Runarsson would make his debut against Rapid Vienna, Bernd Leno continued in goal. The German will again be between the sticks for this one as the Gunners get ready to welcome a dangerous Leicester side to the Emirates. Leno will be aiming to keep his first shutout in the Premier League since the opening day win against Fulham.

Defenders: Arsenal played with a back-four against Man City and in Vienna but due to Leicester’s formation could opt to play a back-three in this one. This means we expect the Brazilian pair of David Luiz and Gabriel to continue but with Kieran Tierney coming into play alongside them in the left centre-back position.

Midfielders: The three at the back formation means Arteta would go with two wing backs against the Foxes. We feel that this would see Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles return to the XI after sitting out in Austria. Between the Spaniard and Englishman, Thomas Partey is expected to make his first Premier League start after impressing on his full debut on Thursday. Alongside the former Atletico Madrid man, Grant Xhaka could get the nod ahead of Dani Ceballos, who could return to the squad after missing out on Thursday with a minor injury.

Forwards: The Gunners needed star man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to jump off the bench to win them the game in Vienna, and the Arsenal skipper will return to the starting XI for this one as he aims to bag just his second Premier League goal this season. Alongside him, Alexandre Lacazette could continue in the central role after missing out at Man City but playing in Austria. Then, on the right, Willian is expected to shake off a minor injury to take his place ahead of Nicolas Pepe.

Arsenal Predicted XI: Leno; Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Bellerin, Partey, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles; Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang