“This is going to be an extremely tough afternoon for them” - Chris Sutton predicts winner of Arsenal vs Leicester

BBC pundit Chris Sutton has made his prediction for the upcoming Premier League clash between Arsenal and Leicester City. The Englishman expects the Foxes to have a tough afternoon at the Emirates Stadium and backed the hosts to secure a 2-0 victory.

The Gunners will be eager to return to winning ways on Saturday, September 28, after playing out a 2-2 draw with Manchester City last time out. Mikel Arteta's men deployed an ultra-defensive approach against the defending champions following a red card to Leandro Trossard but Chris Sutton expects them to go all out this weekend.

"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," he wrote for the BBC.

"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," he further added.

The pundit also urged Leicester City fans to be patient with their manager Steve Cooper after they turned on him during the clash with Walsall on Tuesday.

"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," he continued.

"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.

"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 added.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

How Arsenal have fared in the Premier League so far this season

The Gunners kicked off their Premier League campaign this season with a 2-0 victory over Wolves on August 17. Since then, they've played five games in the English top flight, recording three victories and drawing two.

They picked up all three points against Wolves, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur while they drew with Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City. As it stands Mikel Arteta's men occupy the fourth position in the table with 11 points in five games.

Arsenal have been one of the top defensive sides in the division so far, having conceded just three times. They've also been brilliant upfront, recording eight goals.