Leicestervs.Arsenal

While most of the pre-season talk centred around a possible breakthrough for Ethan Nwaneri - who has indeed proven his worth to Mikel Arteta - Lewis-Skelly has also been a huge Hale End success story.

The 18-year-old has unexpectedly usurped new signing Riccardo Calafiori to become Arsenal's first-choice left-back and scored his first goal for the club in their 5-1 demolition of Manchester City two weekends ago.

Lewis-Skelly was cleared to face the champions after his controversial red card against Wolverhampton Wanderers - which would have also seen him banned for the trip to Leicester - was overturned on appeal.

The 2006-born protege is therefore expected to reprise his left-back role when Arsenal face the Foxes, in what will be the Gunners' first game back since their warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

Lewis-Skelly could set new Arsenal record in Leicester game

Should Lewis-Skelly make the first XI on Saturday, he will earn his eighth Premier League start for Arsenal, which would be the most of any Gunners defender under the age of 19.

Lewis-Skelly currently shares the joint-record of seven with Clichy, who made his Arsenal breakthrough at Highbury in the 2003-04 season and soon became an indispensable performer for Arsene Wenger.

Lewis-Skelly is already on that same path, having also quickly overtaken Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney in the left-back pecking order thanks to his fearless and assured performances in an inverted role.

The 18-year-old's displays beyond his years are said to have caught the eye of England boss Thomas Tuchel, who is now considering him for a possible call-up for his first squad in March.

Arsenal are also expected to agree a new-and-improved contract with the Hale End starlet, who has already represented Arteta's first team on 20 occasions across all competitions.

Arsenal's threadbare attack vs. Gunners' chief nemesis

Arsenal may have few concerns in defence right now - thanks in no small part to the rise of Lewis-Skelly - but Arteta is down to an incredibly diminished attack following the recent injury to Kai Havertz.

Leandro Trossard is expected to spearhead the charge on Saturday with support from Raheem Sterling and Nwaneri, unless Arteta unexpectedly hands Nathan Butler-Oyedeji a first start up front.

While the Gunners' attack may not strike fear into the hearts of many teams, Jamie Vardy has often haunted Gooners' nightmares, having scored 11 Premier League goals against Arsenal in the past.

Only two players have ever scored more against the North London giants in the Premier League, with ex-Tottenham Hotspur man Harry Kane bagging 14 derby goals and Wayne Rooney notching 12.

Vardy was a slight doubt for Saturday's game due to a knock, but Ruud van Nistelrooy has confirmed that he expects the 38-year-old to be fit and available for the lunchtime kickoff.

Written by

Ben Knapton