Gunners Look to Bounce Back: Arsenal VS Leeds United - Prediction

The English Premier League returns on Saturday after a lengthy international break, with defending champions Arsenal hosting an unbeaten Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta's side will be desperate to return to winning ways following a disappointing defeat in their previous league match. Arsenal began their title defense in impressive fashion, winning their opening four Premier League matches. However, their perfect start came to an abrupt end when Brighton defeated them 3–0 before the international break.

The defeat was Arsenal's heaviest in the Premier League since May 2023 and saw them surrender the top position to Manchester City. Before that setback, the Gunners had recorded victories against Coventry City, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Sunderland. They scored eight goals and conceded only one across those four matches.

While Arsenal are looking to recover from a defeat, Leeds United arrive in London with their unbeaten Premier League record intact. Daniel Farke's side have collected nine points from their opening five matches, recording two victories and three draws. It is the first time Leeds have started a league campaign unbeaten in five matches since their Championship-winning 2019–20 season.

Stats & Facts

• Arsenal have won 19 of their 32 previous League meetings against Leeds, while Leeds have recorded 8 victories and five matches have ended in draws.
• Leeds have lost each of their last 7 consecutive league games against the Gunners, conceding 24 goals and scoring only 5.
• Arsenal completed the league double against Leeds last season without conceding a single goal.
• The Gunners have scored 8 goals and conceded four in their opening five league matches.
• Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored 3 goals in the first five games. Arsenal's Bukayo Saka also scored 3 goals this season in the league.

Team News

Arsenal's Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, Kai Havertz, Max Dowman, and Christos Tzolis did not play a single game for their national team during the break due to their respective injury. The status of their fitness is not clear, but the manager is expected to give an update on Friday. William Saliba is the only long-term absentee for Arsenal due to his injury.

As for Leeds United, Jean-Matteo Bahoya also missed his international duty with France. None of Mateo Joseph, Joe Rodon, and Harry Wilson have recovered and are expected to miss Saturday's game.

Possible Lineup for Arsenal:

Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Odegaard, Eze; Gyokeres

Possible Lineup for Leeds United:

Trafford; Justin, Muharemovic, Elvedi; Bogle, Tanaka, Ampadu, Stach, Gudmundsson; Okafor, Calvert-Lewin

Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Leeds

Recent history strongly favors Arsenal, who have enjoyed remarkable success against Leeds United. The Gunners have won their last seven Premier League meetings against Leeds, scoring 24 goals and conceding only five during that period. The managerial record also favors Arsenal. Arteta has won all four of his previous Premier League encounters against Farke. However, Leeds' unbeaten start suggests Saturday's meeting could be more competitive than some of their recent encounters.

Betfair Odds

Arsenal: 1.28

Draw: 5.00

Leeds: 7.50

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