The new Premier League season is here, and it kicks off with what should be a very exciting match. Both Arsenal and Leicester City will be debuting new star strikers as they face off in the opening match on Friday.
Arsenal vs. Leicester City 2017 live stream: Time, TV channel, and how to watch Premier League online
The Gunners are battling for top four, while Leicester just wants stability.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
For the first time since Arsene Wenger was hired in 1996, Arsenal finished outside of the top four last season. Despite tons of speculation about his future, the Arsenal board handed Wenger a new contract, tasking him with righting the ship. Alexandre Lacazette was brought in for a club record fee of £53 million, but it’s not known how long he’ll have Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil to work with. Both players are entering the final year of their contracts.
Leicester made a big splash in the transfer market as well, signing Kelechi Iheanacho from Manchester City. The Nigerian international cost £25 million, and he’s expected to see a lot more playing time for the Foxes than he did for City last season. But Leicester is in a battle to hold onto their top stars just like Arsenal — Riyad Mahrez has been the subject of multiple bids this summer and could leave before the transfer window shuts.
The Foxes finished 12th last year, and they’re hoping for better this time around. Craig Shakespeare — who took over as interim manager and did well after Claudio Ranieri was sacked — has been given the permanent job. With no European football this year, Leicester can focus on the Premier League, but they’ve got a tough task in front of them to start the year at Arsenal.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Santi Cazorla (ankle), Laurent Koscielny (suspended), Alexis Sanchez (abdominal), Gabriel (knee). In doubt: Francis Coquelin (ankle), Kieran Gibbs (illness), Per Mertesacker (face), Aaron Ramsey (calf), Shkrodan Mustafi (fitness), Jack Wilshere (fitness).
Leicester City injuries and suspensions
Out: Vicente Iborra (groin). In doubt: Nampalys Mendy (ankle).
As usual, the Gunners have a massive injury list and a small squad to choose from. The Foxes, however, will be pleased to have come out of preseason without too many players getting hurt.
How to watch Arsenal vs. Leicester online
If you’re in the United States, you can watch for free with a TV provider login at NBC Sports. If you don’t have access or prefer to watch in Spanish, the game is also on Telemundo Deportes en vivo. For fans in the UK, the game is on Sky Go.
Match date/time: Friday, 2:45 p.m ET, 7:45 p.m. local
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S.), Sky Sports (U.K.), TSN2 (Canada).
Make friends: Check out Arsenal blog The Short Fuse and Leicester City blog Fosse Posse.
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