Preview: Arsenal vs Leeds – Prediction, Team News, Line-ups

After a laboured one-goal victory against Manchester United last weekend, Arsenal will be looking for a better level of performance when they welcome Leeds United to the Emirates Stadium for the Saturday team-time kick-off. 

The Gunners are on a 42-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League against promoted sides – one more result would see them equal Chelsea’s league record – but they are unlikely to have it easy against Daniel Farke’s visitors. 

It is no secret that the German has put a premium on physicality since guiding the Yorkshire club back to the top flight, remodelling the free-flowing side that won promotion with the addition of eight summer signings with an average height of more than 6ft 2in. As the tireless pressing and organised, resilient defending Leeds produced in Monday night’s 1-0 win over Everton underlined, Arsenal can expect to have their work cut out. 

Not only did Leeds have twice as many touches in the box as Everton, they also restricted the visitors to just one shot on target and an xG of 0.55. 

Arsenal challenges

Those figures may be of cold comfort to Viktor Gyökeres, the Sweden striker who became Arsenal’s headline summer signing after arriving from Sporting CP on a deal worth up to £64m. The 27-year-old struggled to make an impression in his debut at Old Trafford and was substituted on the hour mark, and it does not help that his replacement, the German forward Kai Havertz, subsequently suffered a knee injury.

Arsenal have since moved to reinforce their attacking options with the addition of Crystal Palace attacker Eberchi Eze. At the time of writing, a £67.5m deal has been agreed, although Arsenal would need to complete Eze’s medical and registration by noon on Friday if he is to line up against Leeds.

Notwithstanding, it is hard to look beyond an Arsenal victory. For all their attacking difficulties, their trademark invention at set-pieces was decisive at Old Trafford, where Riccardo Calafiori capitalised on the chaos caused by a five-man charge into the six-yard box to nod home the winner from a corner. 

Arteta’s side have won their six most recent meetings with Leeds – and are unbeaten in their past 14 games against the club – and, with key defender William Saliba urging Arsenal to step up their title pursuit, it would be a surprise if that pattern altered.

Arsenal vs Leeds team news

At the top of the pitch, Arsenal will be without strikers Kai Havertz, who has suffered a knee injury, and Gabriel Jesus, whose recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury continues. Ben White and Christian Norgaard are expected to recover from minor knocks.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin could make his Leeds debut, while Solvenia defender Jaka Bijol returns from a suspension incurred with Udinese last term. Ethan Ampadu is expected to recover from a minor ankle injury suffered against Everton.

Arsenal vs Leeds predicted line-ups

Arsenal: David Raya, Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyökeres.

Leeds United: Lucas Perri, Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Anton Stach, Ethan Ampadu, Daniel James, Ao Tanaka, Wilfried Gnonto, Joël Piroe.