Match Preview: Leicester City vs. Arsenal

After a valiant display at Chelsea last weekend, Nigel Pearson’s men will be buoyed by their performance, knowing that the game will have been a whole different affair had forward David Nugent tucked away his early one-on-one which could have put the Foxes in front. 

But goals from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard gave the hosts a 2-0 win, leaving City in 16th position after two ruthlessly hard opening fixtures. And the tough start doesn’t end yet as Arsene Wenger’s men are next up for the Foxes, a game that will again be played in front of a sell-out City crowd. 

New recruit Esteban Cambiasso could yet be available to play, while Danny Drinkwater (hamstring) and Jamie Vardy (thigh) will be hoping to return. The game may come too early for Matty James (shin) and Matthew Upson (foot), however. 

Arsenal looked set for their first defeat of the season on Saturday evening after two first half goals from Seamus Coleman and Steven Naismith gave Everton a 2-0 lead against the Gunners. 

But the London club rallied and Welsh international Aaron Ramsey halved the deficit with six minutes to go. And a last-gasp injury time header from Olivier Giroud sealed an unlikely point in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park. 

Their confidence was further enhanced in midweek with a 1-0 success over Besiktas – a solitary goal from summer signing Alexis Sanchez enough to secure progress to the Champions League proper. 

The Gunners are likely to be without striker Olivier Giroud for the trip after he picked up an ankle knock. Theo Walcott (knee), Mikel Arteta (ankle), Serge Gnabry (knee) and Kieran Gibbs (hamstring) will also be missing. 

Speaking after the defeat to Chelsea last Saturday, Pearson said: “We didn’t take our chances when we had them. 

“The players are disappointed because at half time we had shown enough in the first half - we’re a very capable side. 

“Unfortunately we didn’t quite find the right way to get something out of it so I’m disappointed – I think that is the overriding factor. 

“It should give us the knowledge that we are capable of performing very, very well but we’ve got to be able to sustain it over 90 minutes and also continue to put in performances on a weekly basis to give us the best chance of winning games and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Following the 2-2 draw against Everton last weekend, Wenger told arsenal.com: “It was a game played at a high pace where we started a bit nervously because of the memories of last year - but when we were 1-0 down we started to create chances and play with full power.”

"We were unlucky to concede a second goal just before half time and then in the second half we took over and came back in a strong manner and in a very convincing way. 

“Maybe it was a good point because it was at a place where last year we were swept away. This year we have shown a great mental response. We refused to lose this game. I'm very proud of the way we responded. 

“Let's recover now because this game was very physical, let's prepare well and then I believe we have a good chance.” 

Head-To-Head record (All competitions) 

City: 28 

Draws: 43 

Arsenal: 60 

Last three meetings 

Arsenal 2-1 City

Premier League 

Saturday 15 May 2004 

Goals: Henry pen 47, Viera 66; Dickov 26 

City 1-1 Arsenal 

Premier League 

Saturday 6 December 2003 

Goals: Hignett 90; Silva 60 

City 1-3 Arsenal 

Premier League 

Wednesday 23 January 2002 

Goals: Izzet 68; van Bronckhorst 33, Henry 43, Wiltord 90 

Alexis Sanchez will be the one to watch when City clash against the Gunners on Sunday afternoon. 

A combination of aggression, pace and skill create an explosive mixture that the former Barcelona and Udinese man will look to inflict upon Pearson’s side. 

The Chilean helped his nation successfully navigate a deadly World Cup group stage consisting of Holland, Spain and Australia only for his country to be knocked out on penalties to Brazil in the last 16 following a 1-1 draw. 

Featuring alongside Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, the forward will surely establish himself as a key playmaker in this year’s Barclays Premier League campaign.