LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manager of Leicester City, shows appreciation to the fans following the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Leicester City and Queens Park Rangers at The King Power Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Leicester City should have a go at Arsenal and hope to catch them feeling sorry for themselves amid their attacking injuries, former Gunners midfielder Paul Merson has said.
City host Arsenal this weekend with Mikel Arteta having to negotiate the absence of four forwards after Kai Havertz joined Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli on the sidelines.
Merson believes a trip to the King Power Stadium to face a City side that has lost eight of their last nine in the Premier League is ideal for Arsenal and backed them to win 3-1.
However, he did say that City could catch them out if they go for it on home turf, rather than sit back.
“This is a good game for Arsenal even though they’ve been rocked by the injury to Kai Havertz,” Merson said in his Sportskeeda column.
“I know they are struggling when it comes to the centre-forward department, but I expect them to win here. Leicester are terrible defensively and could be put to the sword in this one.
“I don’t see Leicester winning. But I will say this one thing, it’s a different game for them now compared to how it was maybe six weeks ago. Ruud van Nistelrooy should tell his players to have a go at Arsenal here.”
BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton is also predicting Arsenal to win by two, suggesting the game won’t be as close at the meeting at the Emirates.
City did also lose that match by two goals, but were level going into added time after a second-half fightback and a stunning performance by goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
Sutton said: “Still, even with Havertz out, and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both injured too, I think Arsenal will have enough to beat Leicester. Leandro Trossard will probably lead their attack, although Raheem Sterling can also play up there.
“Leicester are out of the FA Cup and were walloped by Everton in their last Premier League game. This is not going to be anything like as close as their last meeting, in September.”
