'Extremely tough': Chris Sutton predicts who'll win between Arsenal and Leicester tomorrow
Today at 12:15 PM
Arsenal have laid some good foundations this season and will look to build on them when they host Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners are yet to lose in this season and successfully navigated tricky run of games after the international break.
Arsenal won the North London derby before picking up a point at Atalanta in the Champions League and then drawing at Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
The Gunners are also through to the fourth round of the League Cup after making light work of Bolton Wanderers in midweek.
Now, Mikel Arteta's charges will look to overcome a Foxes side that has drawn three league games this season, though they're yet to win in the top flight.
Leicester did enough to take a point against Tottenham in their season opener and also reached the next round of the League Cup after beating Walsall on penalties.
Chris Sutton has now previewed the fixture between Arsenal and Leicester, predicting who will win and explaining his reasons.
Chris Sutton backs Arsenal to secure 2-0 win over Leicester City
Sutton, writing on BBC Sport, began by praising Arsenal for their tactics against Atalanta and Man City, saying they’ll all be worth it should the Gunners win silverware.
He also backed Arsenal to be more attack-minded against Leicester, who he suggested were set for a very tough season.
“Are we going to see Arsenal park the bus again? It was more like a couple of buses than just one in front of their goal against Manchester City,” began Sutton.
“There is a lot of attention on Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and his approach, and whether people view his team as too negative – they were also very defensive against Atalanta in the Champions League last week – but it’s what happens in the end that counts.
“If this is all part of a long-term plan and Arsenal end up winning the Premier League, then you have to take your hat off to Arteta. In any case, I’m expecting them to be much more attack-minded here.”
Sutton then spoke about Leicester’s issues this season, and how losing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was a huge blow for them, but urged fans to give Steve Cooper patience.
“There was a bit of negativity towards Leicester boss Steve Cooper from Foxes fans when their side got past Walsall on penalties in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, but they need to be patient with him,” he said.
“I always felt it was going to be very difficult for all three promoted clubs this season, and I predicted they would all go down, just like all three did last time.
“Losing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea in the summer was a big blow because he knitted everything in midfield and, as a team, I would say they are a work in progress.”
Finally, Sutton predicted the result, backing Arsenal to run out 2-0 winners over the 2015/16 Premier League champions.
“The problem for Leicester is you don’t want to be playing Arsenal when you are a work in progress,” he added.
“This is going to be an extremely tough afternoon for them, and I can’t see them getting anything at the Emirates.”
READ MORE:What football agents have been saying about Arsenal behind the scenes
When do Arsenal kick off against Leicester?
Arsenal host Leicester at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and kick-off is scheduled for 3pm BST.
