Foxes of Leicester
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Leicester City v Arsenal: Can Vardy and Mahrez lead Foxes past Gunners?

By Thomas Atzenhoffer

Leicester City's English striker Jamie Vardy (R) celebrates with Leicester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (L) after scoring during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Everton at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on May 7, 2016. / AFP / ADRIAN DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Leicester City's English striker Jamie Vardy (R) celebrates with Leicester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (L) after scoring during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Everton at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on May 7, 2016. / AFP / ADRIAN DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City and Arsenal are both looking for their first win of the season as we preview this weekend’s match, projected lineups and betting odds.

Leicester City failed to rise to the occasion last weekend as it appeared the FA Community Shield loss hangover extended itself through the Hull City season opener.

Arsenal likewise looked out of sorts at times in their 3-4 loss to Liverpool, but an injury depleted side still turned in a heck of a performance with many young players being forced to step up for Arsene Wenger.

Following last weeks faltering at the KCOM Stadium, Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri blasted his side for not playing as a team. There is much expectation for an improved performance against a top four hopeful side.

Related Story: Ranieri: We failed to play as a team

Jamie Vardy and Ahmed Musa have the pace and power to disrupt Arsenal’s backline but they will have to work together better than they did last week.

HULL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: Ahmed Musa during the Premier League match between Hull City and Leicester City at KC Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Hull, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
HULL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: Ahmed Musa during the Premier League match between Hull City and Leicester City at KC Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Hull, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /

Ranieri’s midfield was missing the engine of N’Golo Kante and it was obvious that Andy King and Danny Drinkwater haven’t had the time on the ball together that the need yet are a work in progress.

Riyad Mahrez is still regaining his sharpness and it is still a toss up between Marc Albrighton and Demarai Gray as to which is really preferred on the left wing. Jeff Schlupp is waiting in the wings, no pun intended, for one of them to slip and give him a chance to step in.

Most significant to the back line is the return of Robert Huth which sees the back five of the title winning side together once more and hopefully set for a better performance than they had against Hull.

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – AUGUST 07: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal during the Pre-Season Friendly between Arsenal and Manchester City at Ullevi on August 7, 2016 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images)
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – AUGUST 07: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal during the Pre-Season Friendly between Arsenal and Manchester City at Ullevi on August 7, 2016 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images) /

Arsenal are expected to bring Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud back into the matchday squad but only with a chance off the bench.

Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are set to replace Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi following both of them picking up injuries against Liverpool.

Calum Chambers looked strong last week as did new arrival Ron Holding and the two make the future of the Arsenal back line look bright.

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It is certain to be an entertaining affair at the King Power Stadium and Leicester fans are expected to be up for their home opener just as they were all of last season.

Projected Lineups

Leicester City (4-4-2): Schmeichel; Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; Mahrez, King, Drinkwater, Gray; Musa, Vardy.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Holding, Chambers, Monreal; Elneny, Xhaka; Walcott, Cazorla, Chamberlain; Sanchez.

Related Story: Playing for 90: Leicester vs Arsenal Preview

Betting Odds from SkyBet

Leicester City 19/10  |  Draw 13/5  |  Arsenal 7/5

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