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Official Arsenal team to face Leicester City – Ozil starts, no Tierney

Arsenal face a tough game at the King Power Stadium against Leicester City.

Not long to go now. This is probably the most important match in Unai Emery’s 18 months at Arsenal. He may not survive a bad loss against the high flying Foxes.

One of the biggest criticisms of the Spaniard has been his team selections. He has this annoying tendency to play players out of position or pick a side without balance.

This is the team he has gone with today. Is it the team to beat Leicester City? Is it too negative? Are you happy Tierney starts on the bench?

Let me know in the comments below. it is certainly an interesting line up.

The game kicks off at 17.30 UK time. Match Preview here and for comparison, our predicted lineup.

Links to streams will be put in the comments where to watch the game live and free so keep checking in.

Also, if you go to the official Arsenal website you will be able to get live commentary text and Arsenal radio.

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182 Comments

  1. I don’t have any excitement anylonger about Match days especially when Arsenal is playing. Emery has broken my heart and loyalty. Just waiting to accept any result.
    I don’t even care about whatever lineup he puts up because it makes no difference. All I care about Leno who is about to receive shots after the other at goal. At least 20 of them. All the best to the team. A draw will be an achievement

      1. Are you being funny? Why do I have to go to a link to a social media site of which I am not a member, to see the team! The team is NOT on the post itself. Which part of this do you not understand?

    2. Please Leicester put 4-5 more in. I want us to be humiliated so these UE supporters who have crawled out can go back into their hole.

    1. Five defenders in the back is not attacking

      Leicester would most likely dominate the ball possession, because they have more midfielders. So this is Ozil’s, Guendouzi’s and Torreira’s chance to show whether they are good playmakers or not

      1. 🦈 the fish are getting bigger 😠😡 he can’t ever put out a full 11 that looks good it’s always one or two players that shouldn’t be in the team he has to be the most frustrating man ever Sue 😠

    2. I know, it’s ridiculous! Around £100 million worth of new talent sat on the bench with Tierney, and Pepe, and what’s even worse, is that it’s not as if anyone is playing any better, thus keeping them out of the team!

      I’m still going with 4-0 Leicester, so hopefully a new manager next game.

      2. TMJW the man’s a clown completely clueless! Kolasinac has really shown why he should start with 2 or 3 errors ever time he plays and can’t even cross a ball! I went 4-1 Leicester so hopefully that will end Emery’s reign once and for all.

  5. I think this a 3-4-3 formation.

    Aubameyang, Lacazette…

    Ozil…

    Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Torreira, Bellerin…

    Luiz, Holding, Chambers…

    Leno…

    The reborn of the 3 man defense formation.

  6. It seems to be 3-4-1-2 formation
    Chambers, Luiz and Holding as CB
    Bellerin and Kolasinac as WB
    Torreira and Guendouzi as CM
    Ozil as AM
    And Aubameyang and Lacazette as CF

  7. Formation looks surprisingly positive by Emery. I like 3 CB choices. For the first time in Emery’s defensive selection there is some balance. A good team selection imo. But what tactics will Arsenal play with, it all boils down to that.

    1. Although Arsenal could win or draw with this counter-attacking formation, I’d prefer to see 4-3-3 again

      Because I can’t stand the sight of Arsenal losing the midfield battle. At least we can match Leicester’s number of midfielders with 4-3-3

      I believe the Gunners would work their socks off to save Emery’s arse tonight and I hope the travelling Gooners would cheer them to do the same

      1. Our midfield is too slow to play in a 4-3-3 formation imo. Our midfield lacks enough pace.

        I think Emery will try to attack through wings with Kola and Bellerin and use Torreira and Guendouzi more defensively along side the back three, as both Kola and Bellerin are better attacking than defending. Also Luiz can provide some good long balls and can take the ball forward better to dictate the attack knowing holding and chambers are in the back. Let’s see how it goes.

  8. Why play a #10 without wingers?
    Is this Emery guy stupid or what.
    Ozil needs space and wingers give you just that pundits,fans and other coaches can see this so what’s up with Emery

    1. Whatever he does you guys will still complain..chill and enjoy the game nobody in this life is perfect man. Calm down and support your manager for once.

      1. Well said Bruno… Some fans just love to complain no matter who emery puts in his starting line up. Seems like no matter the team he fields, we still complain. I know not everybody will applaud his line up no matter what. I m not his Fan but the line up for me is better than what we have seen recently. Would have preferred Tierney for Kola but it is what it is. Let’s hope we get something from this game.
        I m nervous with little Confidence but we just have to support the team

      2. Support the greedy owner support the hapless captain support the fake manager and pray for victory … Coz that’s what we depend on these days … Or support the club and call all three of these shisters out …

  9. Laca auba
    Ozil

    Goundouzi chamber torreira

    Kola david holding belerin
    Leno
    4-3-1-2
    That not bad formation

  10. Not a bad lineup…. Think it will start as a 3412 but plenty of options to change it up from the bench.
    All down to how we perform now – COYG 👊 🔴⚪

  12. A defensive line up who would have thought it
    5 at the back two defensive midfielders
    Doesn’t make it attacking because kola can’t defend
    Leno
    Belerin chambers holding Luiz kola
    Gendo Torriera
    Ozil
    Lacca Auba
    Then everyone will blame Ozil

  15. I already predicted this in another thread.

    “I think Pepe wont start and ceballos is out. Dont expect miracles from midfield.. As usual Emery will be playing to avoid catastrophic loss in the away game. So expect defensive tactics to avoid conceding 9 goals…

    I expect a 3-1 loss to Arsenal…

    I am dreaming of Emery getting sacked tomorrow..”

  16. This guy is a fake manager … No vision no clue about the game … Sick of him win or lose … Just want him gone … Worse than dog days of the wenger era … Which were painful …

  17. Kola in for Tierney, SMFH. A 10 without wingers, wow Emery daring club to fire him.

    Anyone have confidence we get a result? Maybe after Emery’s fired we’ll see a pairing of Bellerin and Tierney play with wingers up top.

    Thanks Emery, RIP attacking football, RIP matchday excitement, RIP top 4.

    Someone find Emery a circus in dire need of a clown; speaking clear English not required.

      1. The problem is I can no longer enjoy an Arsenal game. We have become incredibly shit under Emery. On this kind of form we may not even finish in the top six!

  18. News coming in is that this match does not define Emery’s future because we simply can’t afford to sack him at the moment unless it gets worse.
    He will be given some time until December to get to get us back into the top 4. He will be sacked if it gets worse.

    Thankfully Wenger has also publicly clarified the issue on he calling Bayern for the job so no need on that

      1. I’ve been around Sue. I just don’t want to come across as always being negative so I prefer to reserve my comments week in week out on what because there really is no positive from my point of view with respect to Arsenal. You’ll hear more from me in January and I’m sure you can tell why.
        How have you been btw?

        1. That’s fair enough! Well, JA wouldn’t be the same without you, particularly in January and the summer hey!!
          I’m good, thank you. Although that may change in the next hour and a half 😄

    2. N ppl here still say don’t blame the owners, they have done everything an owner can do. If that’s correct why are we falling in the Forbes list of bug clubs around world. This year I think even spurs will over take us in the list. We are poor on the pitch n because of that it’s showing on global decline in our pull/fame. They don’t want to sack him bec we would have to pay him off n pay for new manager as well…that is if we can sign new manager on 5 year installment lol!

  19. This formation isnt good enough. Some people here just want to accept Emerys cowardness because they cant admit he isnt the man for arsenal. This formation will definitely render the forward line useless cos I see us defending woth is formation and only hoping for a counter attack.

    Why not include pepe and play 4 at the back.

    Playing five and 2 dms wont stop us from losing today.

  22. Am seeing arsenal winning this match for the first time with the line up, the midfield looks balance.

  24. REASONS WE WON’T BE CHAMPIONS SOON

    Rooney liked playing Arsenal.
    Drogba liked playing Arsenal.
    Kane likes playing vs Arsenal.
    Vardy has 8 goals in 8 matches vs Arsenal..

    Anfield is a difficult ground for Arsenal.
    Arsenal haven’t won at Etihad in decade.
    Burnley are hard nuts to crack.

      1. @Bora
        Sorry about that. Our victory there is so scanty, few and far in between that I couldn’t remember that.

        However, Arsenal still suck

  27. Football is a funny old game and underdogs do win, for example a team light years ahead of Arsenal…………Man City, have lost an FA Cup Final to Wigan and lost in league to the likes of Wolves and C Palace, so we always have a chance.
    I expect a fighting tight close game where we lose by the odd 7 goals…………..7-0 to Foxes and Count Emery assasinated in the post match interviev with a stake through the heart !……………..I`m excited and cant wait !

  30. Hey Sanmi please get your fact right.

    Arsenal won at Etihad Stadium On the 18th Of January 2015. Santi scoring a penalty and Giroud with the second. That’s not a decade right?

  31. I think clueless Emery will stick on with 4-4-2 diamond.

    …..Aubameyang.. Lacazette

    …………..Ozil

    …….Guendouzi… Torreira

    …………..Chambers

    Kolasinac …Luiz.. Holding,…..Bellerin

    ……………Leno

    Ample space for Leicester to punish Arsenal

  32. If Arsenal lose today, Unai should leave ASAP.
    We usually react in matches like this after a bad patch

  33. Can we play a more defensive team then this…UE is just one of the dumest person I have come acroos….ahhh

  35. So many insipid performances, means our league challenge over

    How can ‘compete’ mean, we’re out the race by October

    1. True but we are also looking more dangerous going forward in the 1st 20 min than our Last 5 match.

      Between choosing boring sideways passing with no shot when we supposedly attack team and this counter attacking team, there is only one winner.

        1. Our defence will be horrible regardless of our system, we will make stupid mistakes.

          We failed miserably at possession football so we try fast attack.

  40. In every match under UE I feel we are playing Fergi’s Man United at old Trafford..always on back foot n scared. I really hope we go down n declare lot of losses so this leach of American owner can leave our club n sell it to someone who is more interest in running the club as football club.

    1. How can some of Arsenal fan can take this is beyond me…no matter what the result playing like this n the amount of defensive players we have put out on pitch is a disgrace in itself. He needs to go …I don’t care about result

    1. We made Leicester see like Barcelona of Xavi n inesta..they are playing circles around us….can we get worse

  45. I have played football for over 50 years and am still playing vets football at 58, admittedly not a high standard but I do think I get by today. So if i can see it dont work playing out from the back why the hell cant emery or anyone in his backroom staff see it. Sack the lot because no one has the balls to say anything, and I cant be the only one who can see this

  46. I think this formation is a mission against ozil. How do a sensible coach expect a no 10 to play with this isolated formation.

  49. Our man of the match in the first half was definitely VAR.
    Denied Leicester a clear penalty when Guendouzi brought down their player.

  50. Why can’t UE be a little brave n grow some balls in away game…for once in life take the game to opponent. Play Guendozi n Ceballos together …play Ozil behind front three of auba, Laca and Pepe with bellerin n Tierney as wing backs …why can’t his dump sh*t play the right team for once?

        1. Point is play one DM n one CM not bloody two DM n all available defenders ..I just want to see one DM n some attack minded players in there…so we can make use of our strike force

  52. what has really happened to arsenal? well if boos can send Xhaka packing then kolasinac should be ready to go. Am so annoyed with the kind of football arsenal are playing now. must we pass ball back to goalkeeper all the time?

  53. We have done well not to conceed anything so far. However, our fowards are not pressing and Leicester center backs are pushing the ball upto the center of the pitch unchallenged. When our centerbacks get the ball they don’t even make it out of the goalkeeper’s box.

  55. Famous last words I know, but for the first Prem game this seqson we have at least a small measure of fluidity and most of the players look at least as if they have met each other before. Stil second best though but who knows what will happen! Still shaky at the back though- somethings never change.

  56. Unwatchable football at best.

    Please tell me what Guendouzi is good at.

    There is absolutely no pressure on the Leicester players. It’s so annoying.

    1. Our three attackers seem to be instructed to let Leicester come into our area

      But Ozil should have chased the opponents in our half, not just waiting for his teammates to give him the ball. If he keeps jogging around, we practically only have two midfielders

  57. I kinda like the Arsenal play so far. Some really good moments on the attack, some of the best I have seen from Arsenal this season in terms of counter attack and link ups.

    I think this formation kinda works with the type of players we have. David luiz can almost play as a DM this way and also take the ball forward, as Torreira and Guendouzi can provide defensive cover, while Bellerin and Kola can attack from the flank.

    Let’s see. Kinda even game so far imo.

    2. Even shiefield n Norwich are playing better n more attractive football then us. …you think this is better n that’s how we should set up n play against teams. …you deserve UE as your manger.

  58. Arsenal were lucky because Leicester attackers missed those crosses

    The 3-4-1-2 formation is good for counter-attack, but we invited Leicester into our half too often. A big team like Arsenal should dictate the tempo, not letting their opposition to take control and invade our territory

    Arsenal have been creating sloppy passes and misunderstanding since Wenger’s final years. The next manager should have a system that can counter that issue

  59. But I agree Ozil doesn’t fit in this formation. Need wingers for Ozil to flourish. May be he’ll bring some wingers in the second half.

  61. Amazing best football by any premier League team in first half. Give UE 3 years extension. He deserves it.

  63. You can see how central Xhaka was to Emery’s tactics. He’s using Luiz to fill his place in a way. Lol

  69. We’ve gone like this for too long, it’s time for a change

    This game showed the world, we’re well out of range

  71. We’ve gone like this for too long, it’s time for a change

    This game showed the world, we’re well out of range

    1. Game over season over emery job over. Please please please resign because no one wants you here at our club. If you do want him to stay at least have the balls to say so

  73. We need to attack more so please bring on Tierney n sokaritus Mr UE n while you are it bring mustafi on as well.

    2. Arsenal have become a very Average team
      Under Emery.Look at Leicester 2-0 up and still running their Hearts out Arsenal look like they have Lead in their legs.

  79. Leicester Leicester …hahaha…that’s ok we are only 15 points behind 4th right??? Every manager’s needs time to build even pep had time n millions of pound to make city into a good team UE was not been given enough time and money. They both are same class of manager’s one is just more lucky then other.

    2. Hahaha…agree Jah till it was 0-0 all UE supporters were out with force now they have disappeared again

    3. The line up was decent. But our players seriously need some MMA style Endurance training. They run like they have fasting for a week. Can’t match pace and stamina.

  82. By bye emery … you won’t be missed so do the decent thing and quit … waiting for the idiot statements from the zombie supporters who drone on about supporting the manager …

  84. Five at the back along with two defensive-minded midfielders today. We essentially have seven players whose main job is to prevent Leicester finding the net. The results says it all . Am not surprised. I’ve resigned for everything. I’ve accepted the torture. We are done dusted and lost

  88. The Board have put Gooners, at fan civil war

    as ‘The Arsenal’ we fell in love with, is sadly no more

  89. Word from Arsenal board under no circumstances UE’s job is under threat. He will be given time n support to turn things around. We still believe he is the right person for the job and we are going in right direction.

  91. Emery will come out with explanations that Arsenal has learnt to play out from back even though we lost.. he is a great tactician who made Arsenal competitive in losing games..
    I am egerly awaiting for the sacking news..

  93. “Sacked in the morning, you’re getting sacked in the morning!” Leicester fans were chanting at Emery. LOL

  95. I heard pundits this morning saying arsenals squad was better than leicesters but Rodgers was motivating them better, rubbish!
    I still think the midfield makes teams and games tick yea we have aubameyang and lacazette but our mf is poor really poor and LCFC have tielemans, barnes, maddison and ndidi.
    3 creative players to our 0. I dont count ozil based on today’s performance.
    Guendouzi and cebalos are probably closest but one looking back to what we had would have been a good squad player based on effort and Dani isn’t ours.
    Ox and everyone else leaving says it all our entire club has become toxic and we as fans have a part in that despite us all wanting one thing success and good football to return.

    How king before hes sacked? Hes got to go now.

    1. Our squad is better, even midfield is more talented but wrong team selection n wrong coaching with wrong in game strategies has made us look pretty below avg. Ceballos was player of the tournament for under 21s right? Guendozi will leave for a big club in season or two u can clearly see the talent he has already been called up to french senior side. Torreria is international with a team which performs good in every international torumemnt. If you have Ronaldo n Messi …you play them LWB and RWB that does not make the team you have weak it shows u r dumb n have no clue.

      1. @mohan
        How can you say that?
        I’m talking about literally the mf line of guendouzi torreira and xhaka. Our players are more CREATIVE than theres no!! No way.
        Never thought I’d say it but our players are playing to get enery sacked.

    2. I tell u if those Leicester players were playing for Arsenal , you would say the same. The names u mentioned are no where known in world football. We don’t have a coach. Same players struggled under their former manager as well.

  97. Admin Martin will still find a way to bash Wenger lol!, This is what happens to you if you don’t respect the people who have done so much for you. Karma is a bitch…enjoy gooners.

  99. Hello All!
    This is my very first message on JA,even though I’ve been reading and following the forum for quite a while.
    I had to join the forum today to voice out my anger at the *sheer stupidity* being exhibited by Emery. The man is clueless,dumb and utterly stupid in all he does. His selection has always been shocking(that’s me putting it mildly).
    I don’t want to say anything about the players because I will have to write an epistle on that! Every single ball pkayed out from the back by Leno was straight to the opponent and that dumb man in charge still insists on Leno kicking balls from the back.Now,if that isn’t madness,i don’t know what else is.
    I could go on but what’s the use….it’s not like the Arsenal board read JA.
    I dunno what else to say cos I’m absolutely livid right now

  100. As I said, no manager can turn this arsenal side around now b’se of two things :

    1. Weakest midfield in the league : Guendouzi and Torreira just don’t have the skills to sit in arsenal’s midfield.

    2. Defending as a team : From the strikers to defenders, they all just jog around without attempting to win the ball back.

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