Yahoo News Chris Sutton sends Leicester City faithful Steve Cooper advice as Arsenal 'trouble' looms
Leicester City will lose to Arsenal – no massively hot takes there – but do so without scoring a goal, according to this weekend’s Premier League predictions.
The Foxes head to the Emirates Stadium on the back of a chastening experience at Walsall and a profoundly underwhelming 1-1 draw with Everton in their last league match – and with pressure already mounting on Steve Cooper.
The Gunners, meanwhile, went toe-to-toe with Man City at their place and then summarily dismissed lower-league opposition in the Carabao Cup in midweek. Unsurprisingly pundits are tipping a home win – with Paul Merson even suggesting the Foxes are already in ‘big trouble’.
READ MORE:Steve Cooper 'can't think of anything worse' than wrong Arsenal attitude
'Makes me laugh'
The former Arsenal forward told Sportskeeda : “I’m backing Arsenal to get a comfortable win here against Leicester.
“Some Leicester fans wanted to come to the top flight and be in the top half of the table, that just makes me laugh. They’re in big trouble and so is Steve Cooper.
“From now until the end of the season Arsenal should not let in more than one goal in any football match, that should be their aim. They’re always going to score goals, that’s not an issue. If they keep it tight at the back, they have a chance of winning something.”
“Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Leicester City.”
Patience
Chris Sutton wasn’t much more generous. Writing on the BBC Sport website he said: “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.
“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's prediction: 2-0
Three 'n' easy
Mark Lawrenson told Paddy Power : “Easy win for Arsenal. Leicester got a draw but should have won at Crystal Palace last weekend. I think Arsenal are going to win the league, I’ve said it here before. I think things from other areas are going to help them, like Rodri’s injury, but they do need to stop these stupid red cards. Arsenal 3-0 Leicester City.”
