Arsenal vs Leeds: Preview, team news, predictions & H2H

Arsenal, reigning Premier League Champions, return to action this weekend against Leeds United, with kick-off slated for 12:30 PM Saturday afternoon.

The Gunners sit second in the table after four wins from five matches, three points and three places above Leeds, who occupy fifth after an unbeaten run of their own.

Mikel Arteta’s side go into the weekend fresh off news of a new contract through 2030 for their manager.

Match Preview: Arsenal vs Leeds United

Arsenal opened the season with a 3-0 win over newly-promoted Coventry City on August 21, before edging Aston Villa 1-0 away a week later.

A 2-1 win over Chelsea on September 5 and a 2-0 away victory at Sunderland made it four straight wins to start the campaign.

That run ended on September 19 at the Amex Stadium, where Brighton beat them 0-3, the only blemish on an otherwise near-perfect start.

Bukayo Saka has scored three of Arsenal’s eight league goals this season, while Gyökeres, the Swedish forward, is still searching for his first league goal this season.

Leeds, now in their second straight season back in the Premier League since their promotion, started with a 1-0 win away at Nottingham Forest, then drew 1-1 at home with Brentford.

Daniel Farke’s side have not lost since, following a 1-1 draw away at Brighton with a 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Elland Road.

A 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace in their last outing leaves Leeds fifth. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored three of Leeds’ seven league goals this season.

Head-to-Head Record: Arsenal vs Leeds United

Saturday’s game is the first meeting between the two clubs this season. Arsenal have won all eight of their most recent meetings with Leeds, the last of them a 4-0 win at Elland Road on January 31 this year.

The Gunners have also gone nine straight home matches without losing to Leeds, their longest unbeaten home run against any Premier League opponent this season.

Team News: Arsenal vs Leeds United

Arsenal

William Saliba remains out with a lower back problem and is not expected back until late November, while Christos Tzolis is sidelined with a hamstring strain.

Kai Havertz, Arsenal’s first-choice striker for most of the season, is a major doubt with a thigh issue, clearing the way for Gyökeres to lead the line.

Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice all trained with the squad this week and are available for selection.

Leeds United

Joe Rodon is out with a hamstring injury and is not expected back until October 18, and Daniel James is a doubt after suffering a back injury on international duty with Wales.

Mateo Joseph remains out long-term after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, while Harry Wilson, previously out with a quad problem, returned to training this week and could feature.

Star Player Comparison: Bukayo Saka vs Dominic Calvert-Lewin

The Managers: Mikel Arteta and Daniel Farke

Arteta is in his seventh season at the Emirates and signed a new contract through 2030 this week, a vote of confidence from the board as his side look to defend their Premier League title.

Farke took over at Leeds in July 2023 following the club’s relegation, bringing Premier League experience gained at Norwich City, and has steadily rebuilt a squad now into its second straight campaign back in the top flight.

Tactical Preview: Arsenal vs Leeds United

Arsenal’s 4-2-3-1 relies on Rice and Guimarães shielding the back four while Saka, Ødegaard and Eze rotate behind Gyökeres, a setup built for quick combinations through the final third.

Leeds are expected to set up in a 3-4-2-1, with Justin, Elvedi and Muharemovic across the back and Bogle and Gudmundsson pushing on as wing-backs to match Arsenal’s width.

With James in doubt, Gudmundsson will likely have to track Saka’s side without his usual attacking outlet, a mismatch that could be exploited down that flank.

Calvert-Lewin remains Leeds’ main aerial threat from set pieces, which puts extra responsibility on an Arsenal defence already missing Saliba at the back.

Betting Tips for Arsenal vs Leeds United

Score Prediction: Arsenal vs Leeds United