Arsenal vs Leicester City: Betting tips and analysis

Arsenal came agonisingly close to securing all three points against Manchester City last weekend, but can they return to winning ways against a struggling Leicester side?

Odds Now's Brad Walker previews a match which could have eventual repercussions at both ends of the table.

Tale of the tape

Arsenal

First things first, to any Arsenal players reading - and I'm sure you are - please refrain from kicking any balls away this weekend. Just save us the earache we've had to put up with in recent weeks - thanks in advance. 

To be fair, if I was to unpack everything which happened in their 2-2 draw at the Etihad last weekend, I'd be writing a dissertation. So many twists and turns, what a game of football. 

Much talk since has centred on the Gunners' approach in the second half following Leandro Trossard's dismissal for petulantly hoofing the ball away after giving away a ridiculous foul in the centre of the pitch. 

Many have criticised Mikel Arteta's decision to sit in and defend their 2-1 lead at the home of the reigning Premier League champions and, might I add, one of the best football teams we've ever seen in this country. 

I'm not sure what other options they had, to be honest. Not unless they wanted to end up on the end of a shallacking, of course. It almost paid off, too. Only a last-gasp John Stones equaliser in the dying seconds could salvage a point for a City side which looked to have run out of ideas.

A point is always a positive result at the Etihad, no matter the circumstances, and Arsenal now head back to face a struggling Leicester side on home turf. Unlike last week, only a win will do on Saturday if they are to keep pace with their title rivals.

Trossard was sent off for kicking the ball away in Manchester last weekend. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Leicester City

It's fair to say Steve Cooper's men have struggled since returning to England's top-flight. Leicester have picked up just three points so far, though one of those was salvaged in a 1-1 home draw with Everton at the weekend. 

Stephy Mavididi rescued a point for the Foxes 17 minutes from time after Iliman Ndiaye's early opener, maintaining their record of having scored in each of their five league encounters so far. 

Results haven't matched their creative exploits though - Leicester are yet to win a game this campaign and only one of their three points came on the road. 

Perhaps not the most convincing track record heading into a match with a title-chasing Arsenal side.

Arsenal vs Leicester City: Betting tips and predictions

Given the contrasting form of both sides, it isn't the greatest surprise to see Arsenal sit firm favourites at 2/11. Not only do I think the Gunners will return to winning ways this weekend, but I expect them to do so in relatively comfortable fashion. 

Sure, the Foxes have scored in every league encounter so far, but they've not yet faced a defence as imperious as Arsenal's. There aren't many sides who could have frustrated Manchester City, particularly with ten men, the way Arsenal did last weekend.

Mikel Arteta's men have also recorded clean sheets in three of their five league outings so far. 

I don't think the Gunners have been as eye-catching going forward so far this term but they still boast a wealth of quality in attacking areas. Raheem Sterling netted his first goal since joining in a 5-1 victory over Bolton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and could have a role to play this weekend following Trossard's suspension. 

All in all, I envisage a comfortable home win in this one. There are definitely goals in this game for Arsenal, who I'm going to back on the handicap at -2, which is offered at a best price of 6/4 generally.

Odds Now’s best bets for Arsenal vs Leicester City

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