Aug 20, 2016 at 5.30pm UK at ​King Power Stadium
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Arsene Wenger 'may gamble' on fitness of star trio

An acrobatic Laurent Koscielny in action for Arsenal against Stoke on September 12, 2015
© Getty Images
Arsene Wenger 'may take a gamble' on bringing Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil back early from their breaks, as Arsenal aim to return to winning ways.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is considering rushing back a few members of his squad for this weekend's trip to face champions Leicester City.

The Gunners were without Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud for their opening-game defeat to Liverpool last Sunday, while midfielder Aaron Ramsey also hobbled off.

Wenger does not expect to have Ramsey back before next month's international break, but the Frenchman could now throw Koscielny, Ozil and Giroud back into contention ahead of schedule as Arsenal aim to bounce back to winning ways at the King Power Stadium.

"Maybe I will take a gamble on bringing them back early but I have 48 hours to decide," he told reporters at Thursday morning's press conference.

Defeat to Liverpool only strengthened fans' frustrations over a lack of summer signings, although Wenger has again insisted that he is not afraid to spend money should the right player become available.

"We are not scared to spend money but to buy in itself is not a quality - to buy good players is," he added. "This club has been built on that.

"The transfer policy we have had here has helped build the club. I know we haven't done as much as many people but we are out there. I have made 400 transfers in my life and I know every one has a rhythm that you are not the only one to decide on.

"It's better for me not to speak about any player. But I would like to reassure you that we are not afraid to spend the money we have and we are working very hard."

Arsenal have so far brought in just one big-profile signing this summer - £30m midfielder Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach.

Mesut Ozil says coo-ee after scoring his side's second during the game between Arsenal and Bournemouth on December 28, 2015
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City22006246
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd22005146
3Hull City22004136
4Chelsea22004226
5Everton21103214
6Middlesbrough21103214
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs21102114
8Burnley21012113
9West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom21012203
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham21012203
11Liverpool210145-13
12Swansea CitySwansea210112-13
13Arsenal201134-11
14Watford201123-11
15Leicester CityLeicester201112-11
16Southampton201113-21
17Stoke CityStoke201125-31
18Sunderland200224-20
19Crystal Palace200202-20
20Bournemouth200214-30