“I’m Expecting Them to Be Much More Attack-Minded” – Chris Sutton Backs Arsenal to Return to Winning Ways Against Leicester City

Former Chelsea man Chris Sutton has predicted Arsenal will claim a straightforward 2-0 victory over Leicester City in their upcoming Premier League meeting. Sutton believes the Gunners will return to playing their brand of expansive soccer and make it “an extremely tough afternoon” for the newly promoted Leicester City on September 28.

Premier League contenders Arsenal played out a 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Matchday 6, playing the entire second half with 10 men after Leandro Trossard got marching orders in first-half injury time. Arsenal were leading 2-1 heading into the second 45, which prompted Mikel Arteta to adopt an ultra-defensive approach to try and keep City out. John Stones spoiled the plan by scoring the equalizer in injury time, but it was still a decent result away at Etihad Stadium.

Chris Sutton Backs Arsenal To Play With Flair Against Leicester City

Previewing the game between Arsenal and Leicester City, Sutton poked fun at the Gunners’ strategy against Man City before backing them to return to form against the Foxes.

He wrote:

“Are we going to see Arsenal park the bus again? It was more like a couple of buses than just one in front of their goal against Manchester City. There is a lot of attention on Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and his approach, and whether people view his team as too negative – they were also very defensive against Atalanta in the Champions League last week – but it’s what happens in the end that counts.

“If this is all part of a long-term plan and Arsenal end up winning the Premier League, then you have to take your hat off to Arteta. In any case, I’m expecting them to be much more attack-minded here.”

Sutton added:

“There was a bit of negativity towards Leicester boss Steve Cooper from Foxes fans when their side got past Walsall on penalties in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, but they need to be patient with him. I always felt it was going to be very difficult for all three promoted clubs this season, and I predicted they would all go down, just like all three did last time.

“Leicester have had great success in the Premier League previously, finishing fifth two seasons running in 2020-21 and 2021-22 after winning it in 2015-2016, but their circumstances are completely different now. Right now their season is all about their struggle to stay up.”

He concluded by saying:

“Losing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea in the summer was a big blow because he knitted everything in midfield and, as a team, I would say they are a work in progress.

“The problem for Leicester is you don’t want to be playing Arsenal when you are a work in progress. This is going to be an extremely tough afternoon for them, and I can’t see them getting anything at the Emirates.”

Sutton’s prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Leicester City

Arsenal and Leicester City have faced each other 150 times over the years. Arsenal has won 72 times, Leicester 33, and 45 games have ended all square.