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Leicester City v Arsenal: Key Battles in Carabao Cup meeting

By Joshua Holland

Leicester City players (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
Leicester City players (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Jamie Vardy of Leicester City (Photo by Rui Vieira – Pool/Getty Images)
Jamie Vardy of Leicester City (Photo by Rui Vieira – Pool/Getty Images) /

Jamie Vardy v Gabriel

Since his £27m move from Lille to Arsenal, Gabriel Magalhaes has started both of the opening games of the season, netting on his debut at Fulham. The 22-year-old made an average of 98.5 passes per game, completing 93.9% of them. 83 of passes made were short, with four being long.

Jamie Vardy, last season’s Golden Boot winner, has two goals so far this season. After the second-best goalscoring campaign of his Premier League career, Vardy will be looking to help Leicester establish themselves as a consistent European team.

The Leicester striker has nine goals in 11 appearances against Arsenal since 2014. His equaliser at a rainy Emirates last season followed a brilliant team goal in November in a game that edged Unai Emery closer to the sack.

Since Arteta’s tactical switch to a 3-4-3 formation in June, that saw them only lose twice, Arsenal have only conceded eight Premier League goals in 10 games. The signing of Gabriel strengthened their backline, with Kieran Tierney or Said Kolasinac impressing so far this season.

With the game being a Carabao Cup game sandwiched between two league games, plus with the winners of the tie facing either Lincoln City or Liverpool next week, it is likely that both Arteta and Rodgers will rotate.

Kelechi Iheanacho hasn’t featured at all so far this season and could be handed a starting place on the night. However, it all depends on how Rodgers views the Carabao Cup with Europa League football on the horizon.

If Gabriel or Vardy start, the contest between the English striker and Brazilian defender could be the telling point in whether Leicester continues their fine form over the Gunners, or if Arteta’s side can keep the main man in Leicester quiet.