Arsenal predicted XI vs Leicester as Mikel Arteta weighs up key David Raya decision
Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon when Leicester visit the Emirates but the consequences from last weekend's draw at Manchester City continue to be felt
by Alan Smith · The MirrorDavid Raya remains a major doubt for Arsenal ahead of their Premier League clash with Leicester City on Saturday.
And the potential absence of the Spanish star could mean Neto, the Brazilian goalkeeper signed on deadline day from Bournemouth, makes his Gunners debut.
Mikel Arteta has credited Edu with getting that deal over the line after Aaron Ramsdale's late swap to Southampton and the Gunners boss is certain the second-choice stopper will do a fine job if called upon against the Foxes this afternoon.
"We had to react very quickly with the departure of Aaron," Arteta said in his pre-match press conference. "We had him on our list for a few years. He has played in various countries, at the highest level in different roles.
"I believed he was the right player, he was in the Premier League, he has experience and he is someone we can throw in at any moment."
While captain Martin Odegaard remains absent owing to his ankle ligament injury and summer signing Mikel Merino is still off a return from injury, Arsenal's treatment table is becoming less busy.
And Arteta thinks both Jurrien Timber and Ben White could be in today's squad having trained yesterday.
Timber is tipped to start at right back with the dominant pair of William Saliba and Gabriel at centre half and Riccardo Calafiori, who scored away to City , set to start at left back.
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Declan Rice and Thomas Partey could sit as the double pivots with a front four of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz.
Merino, meanwhile, is expected to take a full part in training next week and Arteta said: "We are trying to keep him in the cage, because he’s been pushing everyone — the physios, the doctors, everybody — and he’s ready to go, and he really wants it.
"I think we are comfortable now to start exposing him with contact, and he looked really good in training."
Arsenal predicted XI v Leicester: Neto; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Partey; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli; Havertz.
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