This season has been a trying one for Arsenal so far. They had dreams of challenging for the Premier League title, of knocking off Chelsea, of sending Arsene Wenger off with a major feather in his cap. While the season is still young, the Gunners are heading into their match against surprise team Leicester City feeling less than enthused with the way they’ve played so far.
Arsenal vs. Leicester City 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Arsenal are sorely disappointed with their lackluster start to the season, but have to go on the road to beat one of the EPL’s high-flyers in Leicester City if they want to improve matters.
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Arsenal are in fifth place, yes, and they did just beat bitter rivals Tottenham in the League Cup in midweek. But in the league, they just lost to a Chelsea side that’s been struggling as well early in the season, and Arsenal themselves have mustered just five goals in six EPL matches. Morale seems pretty low at the Emirates right now, and Wenger will have to do a lot of work to get his under-performing squad playing to its potential.
Leicester City, on the other hand, are flying high and feeling fine. The Foxes are the only undefeated team left in the Premier League after six matches, with three wins and three draws having them sitting pretty in fourth place. Claudio Ranieri has been doing incredible work with his new team, having them looking and playing very little like a team that struggled to avoid relegation a season ago. They’ve been in fantastic form, and frankly, when you compare how the teams have played, Leicester beating Arsenal at home might not actually be that much of an upset. It might even be unsurprising.
Key player -- Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Arsenal have struggled in midfield this season, and the one consistently high-quality player they’ve had in the middle -- be it from the pivot or in a more advanced role -- has been Ramsey. The Welshman played a grueling match against Spurs on Wednesday, but he can’t afford to let fatigue get the better of him in this match. The Gunners need him to keep playing at a high level, because Leicester’s midfield won’t take it easy on them.
Key story -- Leicester’s focus vs. Arsenal’s desperation
Arsenal have a talent advantage in this match, but desperation for results could force them into making mistakes that an opportunistic Leicester side will take full advantage of. The Foxes have been winning because they stay locked in on their objective and on their opponents’ weaknesses, but they do have moments when that focus slips and they start making mistakes of their own. Whichever team keeps a better reign on their ability to manage this match will have a huge advantage over the other, and any result will likely have one key moment that you can point to as what caused it, a moment with that focus-versus-desperation battle at the heart of it.
Leicester City injuries and suspensions
Out: Nathan Dyer (knee), Matty James (knee)
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Francis Coquelin (knee), Danny Welbeck (knee), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Tomas Rosicky (knee)
Arsenal don’t have many injuries, but the ones they have are vital. Welbeck was supposed to be a key part of their attack, and he’s out at least through the rest of 2015. Wilshere was supposed to be a major cog in the side, but he’s suffered yet another long-term injury. Coquelin’s quality is a matter of significant debate, but he’s still vital to the Gunners’ midfield. All of them being out has hamstrung Arsenal in a big way -- ways that Leicester will be eager to exploit.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: King Power Stadium, Leicester, England
TV: USA Network (U.S.), Sportsnet regional networks (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada)
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