ARSENAL welcome Leicester to the Emirates on Sunday night with plenty of reasons to feel positive.
Mikel Arteta will be itching for kick-off to come around in order to unleash Thomas Partey for his full Premier League debut.
The ex-Atletico Madrid star put on a masterclass performance in the 2-1 Europa League win over Rapid Vienna on Thursday.
Having started the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend on the bench, Partey is a near-certainty to be on the pitch from the first whistle.
And with a new-look back-four set to be unleashed, as well as Arteta’s first-choice front-three, Gooners have plenty of reasons to be excited.
Bernd Leno will start in goal for the clash against the Foxes.
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But the players in front of him are set to change – with Arteta leaving fans ‘crying’ with joy in training.
The boss trialled a back-four of Hector Bellerin, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Kieran Tierney in their latest session.
And supporters were thrilled at the prospect of seeing them on the pitch too – particularly Saliba, who could finally make his Arsenal debut.
Meanwhile, should Arteta opt for a 4-3-3, Partey could start in a midfield three alongside Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka, with Dani Ceballos to be assessed following a knock.
Xhaka’s presence would allow Partey to be given the freedom he so craves, having been tied-down somewhat at Atletico.
Willian, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are set to start in attack.
However, Nicolas Pepe will hope to sneak into the XI – and could replace Lacazette in the team, shifting Aubameyang into the middle.
Arteta could also send out his Arsenal troops in a 3-4-3 formation.
In that scenario, David Luiz would likely slot in on the right-side of the back-three, along with Gabriel and Tierney ahead of Leno.
Saka and Bellerin would take the wing-back spots, with Partey and Ceballos the ideal centre-mid partnership, depending on the Spaniard’s fitness.
Arteta would then be able to roll out his front-three of choice.
Arsenal host Leicester on Sunday, with kick-off at 7.15pm.
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By: Dave Fraser
Title: How Arsenal could line-up against Leicester with Thomas Partey set for first Premier League start and Aubameyang recall
Sourced From: www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/13002837/arsenal-lineup-xi-leicester-partey-aubameyang/
Published Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2020 08:30:12 +0000
