Arsenal predicted starting XI to face Leicester City as 2 changes made from Man City draw

Arsenal are back in action on Saturday after a busy week that effectively begun last Sunday with that bruising clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Since then, the Gunners have cruised past Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup, but a number of senior stars featured in that one.

The Gunners will get Declan Rice back from suspension this weekend, and Leandro Trossard will also be eligible to return after serving his suspension during the week. Here we have put together a predicted starting XI for the Leicester clash.

GK - David Raya

This one is very unclear due to Raya picking up some sort of a muscular injury. Jack Porter started during the week, with Neto cup tied, but the latter would likely start if Raya is absent.

LB - Riccardo Calafiori

Calafiori has had a busy week, but he was brought off during the Bolton clash to get some rest. He did a good job at City and should keep his place here.

CB - William Saliba

Saliba will keep his place having performed excellently so far this season.

CB - Gabriel Magalhaes

The same applies to Gabriel, who has been a key part of this immense centre-back pairing. The Brazilian will be hoping to continue his solid form here.

RB - Ben White

Jurrien Timber appears to have an injury, while Ben White doesn’t appear to be completely fit, but he is further along than Timber and could well start on the right here.

CDM - Declan Rice

Rice returned from suspension against City and continued to get minutes back in his legs against Bolton during the week, also scoring. The England international will certainly start here.

CDM - Thomas Partey

Partey has been Rice’s preferred centre-midfield partner this season and is likely to keep his place here despite Arteta also having Jorginho as an option.

RW - Bukayo Saka

Saka was brought off at half-time against City due to the red card but he started against Bolton. He remains undroppable and will start here barring any big surprises.

LW - Gabriel Martinelli

Martinelli needs to pick up form as Raheem Sterling begins to apply pressure, but he is still likely to get the nod here.

SS - Kai Havertz

Arteta has gone with something between a 4-4-2 and a 4-4-1-1 of late as he deals with the absence of the injured Martin Odegaard. Trossard has come in to play the role of a slightly deeper forward of late, but you wonder whether he will go more attacking here to experiment against a team Arsenal should be beating at home. If he does, Havertz could play a supporting striker role, linking the midfield and the front line but with the freedom to play further forward.

ST - Gabriel Jesus

Jesus has struggled for starts so far this season, but if Arteta does go more attacking, he may well get the nod up top, alongside or just ahead of Havertz. The Brazilian worked very hard when he came off the bench late on against City, and he might just be rewarded here.