LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02 : Leicester City Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy attends the Leicester City Training Session and press conference at Seagrave Training Complex on December 02, 2024 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Leicester City predicted XI vs Arsenal as Ruud van Nistelrooy makes Jeremy Monga decision
Leicester City are back in Premier League action this weekend as they welcome Arsenal to the King Power stadium.
Leicester suffered a 4-0 defeat to Everton last time out in the league, so there’s certainly a need for a reaction.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men have dropped into the bottom three as a result, so whilst they’ll be the underdog this weekend, there is still a pressing need to pick up a positive result.
Leicester haven’t beaten Arsenal since October 2020, having lost their last six meetings against Mikel Arteta’s men.
So the odds are certainly stacked against them but Van Nistelrooy could play his wildcard in 15-year-old wonderkid Jeremy Monga.
With that said, here’s Leicester’s predicted XI for the King Power Stadium clash.
Leicester predicted XI vs Arsenal
Van Nistelrooy has benched his flair players Facundo Buonanotte and Stephy Mavididi in recent weeks, which has frustrated fans.
The Dutchman has favoured the industrious duo of Bobby De Cordova Reid and Jordan Ayew, so it’s likely they’ll be in the starting line-up on Saturday.
Jeremy Monga was included in the matchday squad against Manchester United last weekend and is nearing his first-team debut.
Monga has been excelling for the under-21s and his performances have reportedly garnered interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City.
So the teenage winger may well get some minutes but they’ll likely come from the bench.
Leicester predicted X (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Ndidi, Soumare, Ayew, El Khannouss, De Cordova Reid; Vardy.
Jake Evans could make debut
As well as Monga, Jake Evans could also make his first-team debut this weekend as Van Nistelrooy looks to add more firepower to his attacking ranks.
Evans is the top scorer for the under-21s and is already catching the eye of the Foxes boss, despite being just 16-years-old.
The England youth international is training with the seniors on a regular basis and travelled to Old Trafford with Monga last week.
Again, a start for Evans is highly unlikely, but he could come on as a late substitute.
All of a sudden, City have a few exciting attacking options ready to make an impact.
Leicester City’s unprecedented Premier League title win in 2016 will be a story told for the rest of time in the footballing world.
Leicester were in a relegation battle the season prior and had to pull off a miraculous great escape to avoid dropping down to the Championship.
