Leicester v Arsenal LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups as Gunners face injury crisis

The Independent

·15 febbraio 2025

Leicester v Arsenal LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups as Gunners face injury crisis

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Arteta on title hopes and challenge of Leicester

Leicester City host Arsenal in the Premier League’s early kick-off today, with the injury hit visitors looking to close the gap on Liverpool in the title race.

The Gunners have the chance to go within four points of the league leaders after Everton denied the Reds victory with a late equaliser in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday. Arsenal were dealt a major blow in midweek, though, as Kai Havertz tore his hamstring to join Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines.

It could lead to a much-changed forward line for Arteta’s side as they face a struggling Leicester side who sit 18th. Ruud van Nistelrooy has endured a difficult start to life at the King Power, and his side remain two points away from safety ahead of a tricky run of fixtures.

Mikel Arteta’s options to replace Kai Havertz

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted he will have to change his side’s tactical approach after Kai Havertz was ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

Havertz suffered the injury as he stretched to block a shot during Arsenal’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai and joins forwards Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines.

The Gunners are now expected to line-up with Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri in their attack when they visit Leicester on Saturday, as Arteta said he would have to change his tactics.

“We have to,” Arteta said. “It brings other opportunities. in the frontline we will have players who are unpredictable, good in one-v-ones, creative and sharp, they'll give headaches to opposition.”