Leicestershire

It seems Kai Havertz has turned into Pele in the eyes of Arsenal fans since he has been sidelined by a hamstring injury.

All of a sudden Havertz is a world-beater, that they cannot cope without, when in reality he has been panned by them for his inconsistent finishing since he joined.

But, with Gabriel Jesus already out injured for the season, Havertz's absence will give Arsenal fans an excuse if they end up not winning anything this campaign, and there will be a pile-on to ask why they did not sign another striker.

The fact Gunners boss Mikel Arteta tried to get Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in January tells you he wanted someone in.

Now, if they don't win the league, there will be this blame game. Is it Arteta's fault, or is it on the board for not backing him?

Still, even with Havertz out, and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both injured too, I think Arsenal will have enough to beat Leicester. Leandro Trossard will probably lead their attack, although Raheem Sterling can also play up there.

Leicester are out of the FA Cup and were walloped by Everton in their last Premier League game.

This is not going to be anything like as close as their last meeting in September.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Whether a planned supporters' protest at Leicester City's game against Arsenal on Saturday gathers any traction remains to be seen.

Fans have been asked to voice their feelings over the running of the club and to wear yellow, a significant colour in Thailand relating to the royal family which will therefore resonate with Foxes' owner and chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha.

Under the banner 'Project Reset', there is a list of five points which the organisers - who remain anonymous - feel have harmed the club.

An absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability and inattention to results are all reasons cited.

It criticises director of football Jon Rudkin for his lack of engagement, states that "a lack of communication and accountability is at the heart of the growing distrust" between the club and fans, and says there is a "feeling of inevitability about our coming relegation".

Supporters have also been asked to protest in the 14th minute - a reference to Adrien Silva's £22m move from Sporting in 2017, when the Foxes missed the registration deadline by 14 seconds.

It clearly alludes to the muddled transfer as one of the inadequate ways the group feels the Foxes are perceived to have been run.

Yet since Silva's arrival, he was ultimately registered in January 2018, the club finished fifth in the Premier League twice, won the FA Cup and reached the Conference League semi-finals.

This protest wants to criticise the club for a lack accountability and transparency, yet the organisers are yet to put their names to it - the irony seemingly lost.

Yes, Leicester City were relegated from the Premier League in 2023 and could go back down again, and there are valid points about the lack of communication and identity at the club.

But, apathetic rather than angry feels the most appropriate description of the Leicester fanbase right now.

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier, we asked you to name the former Leicester manager from a series of clues.

The answer was Brendan Rodgers, who was in charge between 2019 and 2023.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Leicester City striker Matty Fryatt believes Jamie Vardy will "relish" the challenge of facing Arsenal as he returns to full training before Saturday's match at King Power Stadium.

Vardy has a record of 11 goals in 17 games against the Gunners, and Foxes boss Ruud van Nistelrooy confirmed on Thursday the forward is ready for selection.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, Fryatt said: "Vardy's just got that knack, hasn't he? He's still got that fire and determination within himself to keep on going.

"At times in games he's been anonymous this season, but then other times he steps up at the right moment.

"At Tottenham he hadn't scored for a few games, then he gets that goal and Leicester are back in the game. With that leadership and the understanding, knowing where to be, he'll certainly be up for the fight against Arsenal.

"He's testing himself against the very best defenders - they've got a formidable partnership at the back. But he'll relish that. He enjoys the challenge and the battles.

"He's got a great record against Arsenal and he'll want that to continue."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Name this former Leicester manager from the following clues:

• Reading and Watford were among the clubs I managed early in my career;

• I was manager when Leicester won the FA Cup;

• I am currently managing a club in Scotland.

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

Image source, Getty Images

The latest When You're Smiling podcast has landed.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has just 14 games to save Leicester City from an immediate return to the Championship, but will he manage to do it?

Hear from the Foxes boss on the relegation fight, Wilfred Ndidi's impact and the return of some key players for Arsenal's visit to King Power Stadium.

BBC Radio Leicester's Owynn Palmer-Atkin is joined by former Leicester City striker Matty Fryatt and Foxes Pride's Rishi Madlani to preview a game that has "a lot riding on it at both ends of the table".

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester fans planning to protest against the running of the club have been urged to back the squad in their fight against relegation.

Boss Ruud van Nistelrooy agrees supporters have a right to voice their opinion with Foxes fans being asked to protest before and during Saturday's Premier League visit from Arsenal.

The protest has been branded Project Reset and urges fans to make themselves heard in the 14th minute, a reference to the 14 seconds the club missed the deadline by to register Adrien Silva for his £22m move from Sporting Lisbon in 2017.

Supporters have chanted for the removal of director of football Jon Rudkin - who is under fire for the club's perceived drift and poor signings - but this is the first time any form of dissent has been planned.

"Thank God we can live in a society where there is freedom of speech and everyone who feels they can let their voice heard is free to do that and we can all be happy they can do that," said Van Nistelrooy, with the Foxes third bottom in the table.

"Looking back as a player, when you played in front of your home crowd and there is a connection from a tackle, pass, cross or difficult moments in a game where support is lifting you, I know as a coach and someone who loves sports and football what it does to the team.

"I can only hope the support will be behind the players. Of course it's good if there is anything you want to get off your chest individually or in groups,

"We live in a society where that's possible - but when the whistle starts until the end of the game I can only hope the players are fully supported by the crowd and it will lift them."

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no fresh injury concerns. Jamie Vardy, Jannik Vestergaard and Victor Kristiansen have all had "a good week of training", after missing the Foxes' FA Cup fourth round game against Manchester United, and are available for selection this weekend.

• Youngsters Jeremy Monga and Jake Evans, who travelled with the squad for the Old Trafford trip, could be in the squad again this weekend, with Van Nistelrooy stating: "They are part of first team training, once or twice a week they are with us now. Not everyday though, because of school! The players are now back who weren't able to be there at Manchester United so we have to have a look, but they are competing."

• Wilfred Ndidi's return from injury has been a boost for the team and Van Nistelrooy explained: "It starts with his personality, which is excellent. Then it is his leadership and his playing capabilities. He has an enormous reach on the pitch, on and off the ball. The complete package of him as a character and a player has lifted the team."

• When asked about a group of Leicester City fans organising a planned protest against the club's hierarchy before Saturday's match, he replied: "Thank God that we live in a society where there is freedom of speech. Everybody who wants their voice to be heard, in a good way, is allowed to do that. We have to be happy about that."

• He hopes there will still be a good atmosphere inside King Power Stadium, adding: "We hope they will get behind the team. Of course it is good that they can get what they want off of their chests but, when it gets to 12:30pm, I hope that we have the full support of the crowd."

• On facing Arsenal, who are currently sitting second in the Premier League, he said: "The difference between us and Arsenal is big. You look at the table and it is clear. It's a big challenge for us and something to look forward to. We will continue building on the last performance because the lads showed they are capable."

• The Gunners will be without "top of the world" attacking players Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, who are both sidelined due to injury, but he believes Mikel Arteta has "enough players to be able to replace them".

• Leicester City haven't set a target for the number of points they believe they will need in order to stay up in the Premier League this season. He added in jest: "The one who can look into the future and tell me, they can always ring me!"

• When asked what the group's mindset is towards surviving relegation, he replied: "It is a game for game mindset. We try to do the maximum preparation within the training week, perform at our best, then it is up to how we manage the games. We have to score more and concede less - it is the most basic evaluation of our performances."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news