Ruud van Nistelrooy will feel like everything is going against his side as Leicester prepare to face Arsenal in the Premier League.
Leicester’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup was marred by controversy as Harry Maguire’s 93rd-minute winner should have been disallowed for offside.
Ruud van Nistelrooy also ended the January transfer window last week with just one new signing at Leicester, despite the Dutchman wanting four new players.
To make matters worse, the Foxes find themselves staring down the barrel of relegation, sitting in 18th place with just one win in nine games.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 18 |  LeicesterLeicester | 24 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 25 | 53 | -28 | 17 |
All the negatives circulating the King Power Stadium are at least sprinkled with a bit of positivity as Wilfred Ndidi was quality against Man United after returning from injury, as was another player.
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Ruud van Nistelrooy has to decide between Caleb Okoli and Jannik Vestergaard vs Arsenal
Towering centre-back Jannik Vestergaard missed the clash at Old Trafford through injury. Van Nistelrooy confirmed Vestergaard’s issue was only minor, and he should therefore return this weekend.
The Danish international started in their last Premier League game as Leicester were thrashed 4-0 by Everton at Goodison Park, and Vestergaard was shocking alongside Wout Faes.
Perhaps the 32-year-old would have been dropped regardless in the FA Cup however, his absence allowed Caleb Okoli to make his first start under the Dutchman.
Despite rarely playing and being linked with a move away throughout the window, Okoli was excellent against United, rarely putting a foot wrong alongside Faes.
The Italian displayed the strength and athleticism that Van Nistelrooy has been missing, as demonstrated by his incredible goal-line clearance to deny Alejandro Garnacho.
It was a performance that proved the 23-year-old is committed to the badge and it would be harsh to drop him for the underperforming Vestergaard this weekend.
Okoli’s attributes can help Leicester deal with Arsenal’s attack
While Vestergaard is known for his lack of pace and mobility, Okoli is statistically Leicester’s best defender, and he’s also physically strong.
Van Nistelrooy could lend his pace and power to deal with Arsenal’s attacking threats. 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri will likely start on the right, as Bukayo Saka continues to recover from injury, while Leandro Trossard should line up on the left due to Gabriel Martinelli being sidelined.
Raheem Sterling is also an option for the injury-depleted Gunners, who will be looking to secure a statement win on Saturday lunchtime.
That being said, starting Okoli will give Leicester a much better chance of pulling off an upset instead of trusting the ageing and physically declining Vestergaard.