Arsenal Under-21s will be looking to get their league campaign back on track when they take on Leicester City at Meadow Park on Monday.
Steve Gatting's side slipped to their first defeat of the season when they were beaten 5-1 by Sunderland a fortnight ago. But the Gunners have an opportunity to close the gap on leaders Fulham with two home games in four days - Manchester United visit Borehamwood on Friday.
The young Gunners currently sit seventh in U21 Premier League with 14 points from seven games. Gatting's side were comprehensively beaten by a physically strong Sunderland side but Gatting is confident his side will produce a quick response.
"It's important [to respond], we've got a lot of games in different competitions coming up so the important thing now is to try and get back on track"
Steve Gatting
"We've had a very good start," Gatting told Arsenal.com “That [the Sunderland game] was our first loss and we've had mixtures of teams, we've had younger sides, older sides but we had a bit of a mixed team against Sunderland and they made it difficult for us.
"It's important [to respond], we've got a lot of games in different competitions coming up so the important thing now is to try and get back on track."
Leicester have had mixed start to their season and lie 14th in table. Arsenal will take encouragement from Leicester's poor away form. The Foxes have taken just five points on the road and haven't won on their travels since August.
Chuba Akpom is set to lead the line again and was one of Arsenal's shining lights in the defeat to Sunderland. Akpom scored for the under-19s in their 2-1 defeat to Napoli last week and will be looking to continue his good form as he pushes for a place in the first-team squad.
Despite that heavy defeat to Sunderland, Arsenal's back four have looked solid this season with Brandon Ormonde-0ttewille, Stefan O'Connor and new signing Semi Ajayi all impressing.
Supporters travelling to Meadow Park for this evening's match should note there is due to be a pitch inspection at 5.15pm following three days of heavy rain in the Hertfordshire area.
Stay close to Arsenal.com for any further developments.
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