Leicester City will travel to the Emirates to take on Arsenal in a match that has is one of the most crucial, if not the most, in this season’s title challenge. A win for Leicester could possibly confirm the title is headed to Ranieri’s men, while Arsenal winning this game might mean the race for the top spot continues.
We pick the available combined eleven of the two teams, based on form and the result went 6-5 in the league leader’s favor. (Note: injured players do not qualify)
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Arsenal)
While Kasper Schmeichel has been pretty solid at the back this season, there is absolutely no way he gets ahead of Cech, both on skill as well as form. A genuine bargain when signed from Chelsea for £10m in the summer, the Czech international has lived up to John Terry’s claims of earning his side 10-15 points single handedly this season.
Right Back: Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)
Genuinely a tough choice for the spot, Hector Bellerin only marginally beats Danny Simpson here. The Arsenal youngster possesses crazy speed and while being a threat in front, does not shy away from his primary duty of defending.
Centre Back: Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
The Frenchman is as composed as a centre back can get and is exactly the sort of figure one wants at the back. He has been a mainstay in the Arsenal team since joining them five years ago and looks solid at the back, this season as well. Wes Morgan has also been good at the back for Ranieri, but Koscielny easily walks into a combined eleven.
Centre Back: Robert Huth (Leicester)
Joining the Frenchman at the back is not the German you’re used to. Robert Huth has been great for the Foxes since joining them in their survival bid for the second half of last season. The former Chelsea player also contributed with two goals against Man City last week, but it is his solid performances at the back that put him in the team ahead of Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista.
Left Back: Christian Fuchs (Leicester)
The Austrian came in on a free transfer in the summer and has been sensational for the Foxes this season. The full-back has demonstrated the threat of his left his left foot delivery from set-plays, and has often unlocked defences time and again. Monreal too has been really good for Arsenal this season, but it is Fuchs, who has shown his ability in attack as well as defence, who gets picked in the combined eleven.
Defensive Midfielder: N’Golo Kante (Leicester)
Kante has represented a massive coup for Leicester this season as the £5.6m they decided to shell out for him seems to be an absolute bargain. Francis Coquelin has returned from injury but even so, Kante clearly deserves to be picked ahead considering the way he has operated this season. The former Caen player is exactly the kind of player you want shielding your defence and helping the transitions from defence to attack.
Centre Midfielder: Daniel Drinkwater (Leicester)
The midfield of the combined eleven will be the current Leicester midfield as Drinkwater’s performances certainly put him ahead of Aaron Ramsey as well as Mathieu Flamini. The former Manchester United youth product has been particularly outstanding in the midfield and is subsequently in line for an England call-up. Drinkwater averages 3 successful tackles as well as 1.5 key passes every 90 minutes illustrating how much he contributes to both facets of the game.
Right Winger: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
The Chilean has boosted Wenger with his return from injury. Despite Marc Albrighton doing decently for Leicester on the flanks this season with a goal and six assists, Sanchez quite clearly gets ahead of him in the pecking order.
Attacking Midfielder: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester)
How can player of the season contender Riyad Mahrez possibly be missing here? Mahrez has been fantastic all season and has 14 goals and 10 assists in the league to illustrate that.
Left Winger: Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
With undroppable Mahrez playing the #10 role in this team, Ozil has to accommodate himself on the left side of the pitch. While the German works best in the hole behind the striker, he can impact proceedings even on the left side of the pitch. After blanking in four games, he scored against Bournemouth and now has 4 goals and 16 assists this season.
Striker: Jamie Vardy (Leicester)
The striker who absolutely couldn’t stop scoring initially, did recently, but has recently rediscovered form, having scored three goals in the last three games. Even though Giroud too has done well in front of goal this season (12), Vardy is the natural choice and with this attacking trio behind him, the kind of damage he could do seems frightening.
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