The Arsenal Times

Arsenal take on an in-form Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League’s late kick off on Saturday evening (November 9).

The Gunners go into the game six points and two places behind the hosts and anything but a win could see yet further pressure mount on head coach Unai Emery.

It simply feels like an absolutely crucial encounter for Emery and his side before we head into a two-week international break.

Defeat could see Arsenal slip to as low as eighth or ninth in the table, depending on other results.

READ MORE: How Unai Emery’s record compares to previous Arsenal managers

But perhaps more importantly, should Chelsea beat Crystal Palace, Arsenal will be nine points off the Champions League places after just 12 games.

A run of three league games without a win followed by a lacklustre performance in the 1-1 draw away at Vitoria in midweek – with a Carabao Cup exit sandwiched in between it all – has left the mood around the club feeling somewhat sombre.

Shkodran Mustafi’s goal in the 80th minute of the Europa League group stage match, which was our first and only attempt on target in the entire game, put us 1-0 up but a late equaliser saw Arsenal throw away a lead for the fourth consecutive game.

Squandering advantages has been a major issue in recent weeks – as has the number of shots being allowed in our own final third.

In the last two games, Arsenal have allowed 39 attempts on goal – Vitoria (15) and Wolves (24), while only taking a total of 17 in response.

Granit Xhaka was also stripped of the captaincy on Tuesday before the trip to Portugal because of the incident with fans against Crystal Palace and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now been named as the new skipper.

By stark contrast to Arsenal, Leicester are flying this season having won seven of their last nine in the Premier League – their only defeats have come away at Liverpool and Manchester United.

Brendan Rodgers has got the Foxes playing excellent football, they’re unbeaten at home in the league (W4, D1) and making a real challenge for the top four.

Jamie Vardy is also on fire with 10 goals to his name already this season and his record against Arsenal speaks for itself – eight goals in his last eight games.

All the odds seem to be stacking up against Emery’s side with Arsenal’s away form just another cause for concern.

With just four wins in the last 18 Premier League games on the road (D5 L9), it’s going to have to be an impressive performance to get anything out of this one.

READ MORE: The worrying run of form which shows Arsenal are playing like a mid-table team

Team news

Leicester City have a fully fit squad to choose from.

Arsenal are likely to be without Dani Ceballos after suffering what appeared to be a hamstring strain on Wednesday.

Granit Xhaka isn’t ready to play, according to Emery, while Reiss Nelson could return to the squad after recovering from a knee injury.

Prediction

Key player: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – If Arsenal are to stand any chance of getting something from the game, it may be down to the main man to produce a moment of quality.

It’s Aubameyang’s first game as skipper since he was officially named as club captain, so he’ll be keen to perform.

Leicester’s last five Premier League games: W/L/W/W/W

Arsenal’s last five Premier League games: D/W/L/D/D

Score prediction: Leicester 3-1 Arsenal – It’s so hard for even the most optimistic fan wearing rose tinted glasses to see any other outcome than a Leicester victory here.

The Foxes are firing on all cylinders, are full of confidence and have the home advantage.

For Arsenal, it’s quite the opposite. It’s not working for Unai Emery at the moment and fortunes aren’t realistically likely to change on Saturday evening.

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