Drinkwater played in Leicester’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Saturday as the defending champions search for their first win of the season.
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Mahrez scored 17 goals and won the PFA Player of the Year award as the Foxes won the Premier League by 10 points, but Ranieri wants more. “I’m very happy to be here and I know the club is happy to sign me, so I thank them as well”.
Provisional Leicester squad: Schmeichel, Zieler, Chilwell, Fuchs, Morgan, Huth, Rodriguez, Wasilewski, Simpson, Schlupp, King, Mendy, Drinkwater, James, Amartey, Gray, Kapustka, Albrighton, Mahrez, Musa, Okazaki, Vardy, Ulloa.
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City): No real standout performances but last year’s Player of the Yeason created a couple of good chances for his side and was only denied himself by a fine save from Petr Cech.
The Gunners’ 5-2 win at the King Power Stadium in September looked like it might be the moment that slowed Leicester’s momentum. Arsenal had a poor start to the season against Liverpool, and the only consolation for them now is that three of their top stars in Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil and Laurent Koscielny are now match fit and ready to play in Saturday’s game.
Last season, while Leicester City was putting together the best underdog story in Premier League history, Arsenal was being Arsenal. Arsenal ended as champions as Leicester were relegated finishing last that season.
Arsene Wenger has refused to confirm whether Arsenal had an interest in signing Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City this summer.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said this week the England forward gave him no reason for his decision as he comes under increasing pressure following a lack of signings.
“He has been outstanding”.
A 2-1 defeat in the opener has only strengthened claims that they were just a one-hit wonder, and the Vardy party is indeed over. Live coverage of the game will be on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 1 HD.
“I had a lot of time while I was sat in a hotel doing nothing, so it was easy to think about it then and easy to put the pen to paper”.
Giroud, Koscielny and Ozil were three of the players Arsenal had to do without against Jurgen Klopp’s side after they were given extended breaks following their efforts for France and Germany at Euro 2016.
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Arsenal fans will not have to wait too long for the return of Aaron Ramsey, who is out with a hamstring problem.
