They will face Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez at the King Power Stadium, two players who were linked with a possible move to the Emirates, but both opted to extend their stay at Leicester City.
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Arsenal are also looking to get their season up and running after a 4-3 defeat against Liverpool in a thrilling tie on Sunday afternoon.
The Foxes, however, have been boosted by the news in midweek that Riyad Mahrez has signed a new four-year deal.
“Signed from Le Havre of the French second tier in January 2014, Riyad’s two-and-a-half-year spell with Leicester has seen him establish himself as an Algeria worldwide, a Premier League champion and one of the most feared attacking players in Europe”. It’s normal other managers look at Leicester players. We have only to prove to ourselves that we are stronger, that we want to win. “It’s important to spend money the right way”, he said.
Where Arsenal have several holes in their squad, Leicester are at full strength and will welcome back centre-back Robert Huth from suspension.
That said, there will be absolutely no shame in losing to Arsenal – a bogey side City still haven’t beaten in the Premier League since Wenger took charge in 1996.
The Algerian made a scoring start to this campaign, equalising from the penalty spot against Hull City last Saturday. On top of Arsenal’s current injury list of Per Mertesacker, Gabriel Paulista, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Carl Jenkinson, both Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi were forced off in the game against Liverpool.
Mahrez scored 17 Premier League goals and recorded 11 assists, giving Leicester City the class in midfield that separated it from just another EPL also-run and allowed it compete – and beat – the giants of the EPL.
They may well be better suited to this tie as it will be more open, meaning they will have more chances to express their counter-attacking play.
Arsenal haven’t lost their opening two league games since the inaugural Premier League season in 1992/93.
This month the goalkeeper pledged his future to the Foxes until 2021 having been an ever-present in last season’s Premier League-winning side – keeping 15 clean sheets as they clinched the title by 10 points.
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Arsenal have to win this match.
