Arsenal v Leicester live on Monday Night Football from 7pm on Sky Sports Premier League
Monday 22 October 2018 12:25, UK
Arsenal and Leicester City. Two clubs that pull on the heart strings of former England striker Alan Smith.
The Gunners and Foxes conclude this weekend's Premier League schedule when they meet at the Emirates on Monday Night Football - live on Sky Sports Premier League.
Smith, who played solely for Arsenal and Leicester over his 13-year career, has revealed his allegiances will be with Gunners on this occasion, as they look to confirm their longest winning run since 2007 with a 10th consecutive victory.
"I want both teams to do well this season," the Sky Sports pundit said.
"But because Leicester, realistically, are not going to pull up any trees in the league, I'd like Arsenal to continue this run on Monday and make it 10 on the trot in all competitions.
"Arsenal have conceded chances to most teams so it depends if that happens again against Leicester, and whether the Foxes can take them.
"But you can see Arsenal scoring more than one, they have got goals in them so you would back them on the night.
"It's always difficult coming back from the internationals but you would have to fancy Arsenal. They have had a favourable run of fixtures, they haven't beaten anybody of substance, but winning is a great habit.
"Liverpool is the next big game so we will see at the start of November if anything has changed."
Arsenal have never lost a home Premier League game to Leicester, winning all of their last 11 meetings at Highbury and the Emirates.
If the Gunners are to extend that run to 12, the goals of in-form strike duo Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will no doubt be key.
There have been calls to play the pair, who have 11 goals between them this term, up front together, but Smith believes head coach Unai Emery's decision to play a lone striker has been vindicated so far.
"Aubameyang and Lacazette are both getting among the goals so you cannot have too many complaints," he added. "Aubameyang has operated on the left at times, so you would have to ask him if he likes a central role.
"It's not an easy role to play out on the left, but as the game opens up he can spend a little more time drifting in.
"I would doubt if Emery would play the two up front, he doesn't really like that shape so he will stick with things as they are.
"He is a coach that will play different teams for different opposition, he won't just pick what he feels is his best XI - he's left Aubameyang on the bench in recent weeks.
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"But it's looking good. Lacazette and Aubameyang are pals off the pitch and pals on it, which is important."
In response to the Arsenal attack, Leicester will be bolstered by the return of two England internationals fresh from their thrilling 3-2 Nations League victory in Spain - Harry Maguire and Ben Chilwell.
Left-back Chilwell's impressed on his first two international starts in testing conditions in Croatia before withstanding constant pressure in Seville.
Smith has challenged Chilwell to make the England left-back position his own, adding: "I was really impressed with Chilwell.
"He got himself forward in Croatia on a tricky pitch and was positive. He had a lot more defending to do in Spain in the second half but he did it well.
"He had a few one on ones, didn't commit himself and looked strong. It helped having team-mate Maguire next to him.
"That left-back spot is up for grabs and he's done himself no harm at all over the two matches."
Watch Arsenal v Leicester on Monday Night Football live from 7pm on Sky Sports Premier League
