[4-3-3]: Saka returns, Academy striker’s debut, Partey starts in favourite position- Arsenal predicted lineup against Leicester City as Mikel Arteta confirms many changes ahead of the clash
Arsenal have been boosted by the return of Ben White for their trip to Leicester on Saturday.
The right-back has been out of action since November after undergoing surgery to solve a knee issue.
White has stepped up his training over the past week during Arsenal’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai.
He could now return to the squad this weekend, when Arsenal travel to Leicester.
“Ben has been training more regularly now, so we have to still manage a lot his load,” said Mikel Arteta. “But he is going to be available, yes.”
White’s return is a boost for the Gunners, but they are very light on options in attack.
Kai Havertz will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury and Gabriel Martinelli is out for at least a month, also due to a hamstring injury.
The pair join Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Gabriel Jesus (knee) on the sidelines, meaning Arsenal have just three fit forwards in Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling.
Trossard is the favourite to start as a striker on Saturday, with Nwaneri and Sterling likely to flank him out wide.
“We were having a great camp in Dubai – recharging, training, having some time off and connecting again with nature and a different environment,” said Arteta.
“Then the injury [to Havertz] happened in a very unexpected way, certainly. So, it’s a big blow obviously because of the injuries we have.
“He (Havertz) was going to stop a shot after a set-piece and he stretched the leg and felt his hamstring.”
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling
Injured: Havertz (hamstring), Jesus (knee), Martinelli (hamstring), Saka (hamstring), Tomiyasu (knee)
Date and time: 12.30pm GMT on Saturday 15 February 2025
Venue: King Power Stadium
Referee: Sam Barrott
TV channel and live stream: TNT Sports
