Leicester City vs Arsenal; Premier League
Leicester City vs Arsenal. Premier League.
The King Power StadiumAttendance32,095.
Leicester City 3
- K Iheanacho (14th minute)
- J Vardy (76th minute pen)
- R Mahrez (90th minute)
Arsenal 1
- K Mavropanos (sent off 15th minute)
- P Aubameyang (53rd minute)
Leicester v Arsenal preview: Claude Puel looks to secure top-half finish
Wednesday 9 May 2018 07:40, UK
Leicester host Arsenal on Wendesday night looking to secure a top-half finish, as Claude Puel bids to prove he should remain in charge next season.
A win at the King Power Stadium would guarantee a top-10 spot, but their manager is under pressure from supporters after just four wins in their last 19 Premier League games, even though he was backed by the club's owners before Saturday's 2-0 defeat to West Ham.
Puel, who was appointed in October, said this week: "It is not possible in six months to have all the possibility to perform like a great team. We have to work together with patience and we can build something strong for the future."
Wednesday's opponents will definitely appoint a new manager this summer as Arsene Wenger, who has never tasted defeat against Leicester, takes charge of his penultimate match as Arsenal boss.
The Frenchman's final home game ended in a 5-0 victory over Burnley on Sunday afternoon, meaning Arsenal will definitely finish the season in sixth place.
Team news
Mohamed Elneny's ankle injury will see him miss the game, while Mesut Ozil's back problem is expected to keep him out of the two remaining matches.
Santi Cazorla, who injured his Achilles in October 2016, is back in training but will not be fit enough to feature this season, while defender Laurent Koscielny has been ruled out for six months as he undergoes surgery on a ruptured Achilles.
Leicester are still waiting on whether Marc Albrighton will face further punishment following his reaction to his red card at Crystal Palace.
The winger missed Saturday's 2-0 defeat to West Ham because of the dismissal but the Football Association is yet to confirm if he will be banned for the visit of Arsenal for misconduct.
Kasper Schmeichel (ankle), Shinji Okazaki (ankle), Wilfred Ndidi (hamstring), Danny Simpson (groin), Robert Huth (ankle) and Matty James (Achilles) are also out along with Ben Chilwell and Daniel Amartey. Vicente Iborra (hamstring) remains a doubt.
Opta stats
Leicester won their first Premier League meeting with Arsenal in November 1994, winning 2-1 at Filbert Street - they've failed to win any of the 22 meetings since (D7 L15).
Arsenal's 22-game unbeaten league run against the Foxes is their longest run against an opponent in their top-flight history.
This will be Arsene Wenger's 23rd meeting with Leicester in all competitions - he has never lost against them (P22 W14 D8 L0) and managed more matches against the Foxes without losing than any other club as Arsenal manager.
Arsenal are the only side without an away point in English league football in 2018, having lost all six of their games on the road. They last lost seven in a row back in January 1966.
Leicester haven't won any of their last six Premier League home games (D4 L2) - only relegated Stoke (7) are on a longer current run in the competition.
Jamie Vardy has scored five goals in his last five Premier League games against Arsenal, scoring a brace in the reverse fixture.
Merson's prediction
Leicester are all over the place, they are completely gone and West Ham ripped them apart on Saturday, so I am going to go Arsenal 3-0. You just hope it does not rain at the King Power, as you can't play in flip flops - they would be falling all over the place.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3 (16/1 with Sky Bet)