Leicester City manager Steve Cooper believes there is “no better time” for his side to secure a first league win of the season than when they visit title hopefuls Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday (3pm BST).
The top-flight newcomers earned their third point of the campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Everton last Saturday but are considerable underdogs away to opponents who were only denied victory at Manchester City by a last-gasp equaliser a day later.
“This is the level we want to be at,” said Cooper, who was appointed on June 20. “These are the games we want to be playing.
“But we want to be playing them with the right attitude, with the right mentality, with the ambition of being able to succeed. If we can get the result that we’re craving, then there’s no better time.”
On development in the squad 📊
“In terms of our work ethic and application, that’s been good. We’ve just got to try and keep building to get the results and performances that we want.” pic.twitter.com/xqlTGhAWCn
— Leicester City (@LCFC) September 26, 2024
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Leicester injuries
Injured centre-back Jannik Vestergaard will not return for the Foxes for the first time since August 24 at Emirates Stadium, while goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk remains out.
Leicester set up a last-16 tie at Manchester United by winning on penalties at third-tier Walsall in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
On Arsenal 🔴
“We’re coming up against an incredible team who have been in great form for a number of years, but it’s these games that you’ve got to embrace. We back ourselves and it couldn’t be a better time to get the result we’re craving.” pic.twitter.com/OE6DB6QtGh
— Leicester City (@LCFC) September 26, 2024
“We had a few bumps and bruises and some lads didn’t make it,” said Cooper. “Everybody came through Tuesday fine. It’s the same squad as the last Premier League game.
“Stolarczyk’s walked out onto the grass today [Thursday]. He’s making good progress. We’re getting really good reports on his attitude to his recovery.
“It was innocuous, how he did it, and he ended up breaking his foot. He’s been really positive around the place and he’s had a breakthrough getting back on the grass.”
On how to get a result on Saturday 🆚
“Everything in our game has got to be right: with and without the ball, game management and set pieces. That also includes our mentality, approach to the game and belief.” pic.twitter.com/MGFNlk3wMW
— Leicester City (@LCFC) September 26, 2024
Arsenal vs Leicester
Arsenal’s 5-1 Carabao Cup win at home to Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday kept the Gunners unbeaten in all competitions, although they have drawn twice in the Premier League.
“It was an intriguing game, for sure,” Cooper said of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at familiar title rivals City. “They’ve played another game since: I watched the game closely last night against Bolton. Our focus is on us, so we’ve got to do everything really, really well in the game.”
Leicester have lost all five of their encounters with Arsenal since a 1-0 win in 2020, when Jamie Vardy scored to give them their first victory at Arsenal since 1973.
