Elland Road hosts a bumper clash between Leeds United and Arsenal as Jesse Marsch hopes to halt Arsenal’s winning streak.
Leeds United have been progressive in their approach since appointing Jesse Marsch as manager, but the results have been faltering lately. The Whites have not won in the Premier League since August, causing a bit of worry among fans as their stock continues to plummet.
Last weekend, as Marsch suggested, Leeds showed different energy which was not seen before this season. Despite taking a deserved lead in the first half, the West Yorkshire outfit got undone by goals from Odsonne Edouard and Eberechi Eze as Palace emerged victorious.
While Leeds are an exciting side to watch, they are missing a ruthlessness in their game. Having not won in the last five games, Marsch needs to change outcomes. Leeds also have an unbeaten record this term at home, which the manager will hope to protect when they welcome league leaders Arsenal at Elland Road.
The Gunners seem unstoppable as they continue their superb start to the season. After a brilliant win over north London rivals Tottenham, Mikel Arteta engineered a terrific victory over Liverpool last Sunday at the Emirates. The result took them back to the summit of the Premier League.
Arsenal now have a real opportunity, with the next fixtures seemingly looking more favourable than their rivals’. Chelsea are the only team they face who are in the top six between now and the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Arteta will hope his side continues performing at the highest level. Arsenal ensured they won another group stage game in the UEFA Europa League despite being slightly off with their intensity against Bodo/Glimt in midweek.
A trip to Elland Road is always considered tricky, and Chelsea’s performance earlier this season was proof. However, Arsenal have been playing at a different level, and Arteta will surely be hoping they are at their best to trump Marsch’s charges and secure three more points.
Team News & Tactics
Leeds United
๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ป ๐น๐ฒ๐ณ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ: "Pascal is playing at such a high level, we'll start with him at the weekend. We need to get Junior fully fit and healthy, he trained and looked good this week, he's still a real important piece for us." pic.twitter.com/cG2JvrsQ9L
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 14, 2022
Jesse Marsch will make slight tweaks from the Crystal Palace clash. Luis Sinisterra, suspended for the visit to Selhurst Park, is available again. He will take his place on the left wing ahead of Jack Harrison.
Junior Firpo is reportedly available for the Arsenal encounter, but Marsch suggested he may not move away from Pascal Struijk at left-back. That will enable the Leeds United manager to keep Robin Koch and Liam Cooper as the central defensive pairing, while Rasmus Kristensen has been impressive at right-back.
Marsch has also insisted on carefully managing Patrick Bamford’s situation and minutes. He suggested the striker is still not at 100 per cent fitness levels, which could see him drop out of the starting eleven. Rodrigo is best placed to lead the line in that scenario. Harrison could start on the right-hand side, with Aaronson likely to feature in the No.10 role.
Stuart Dallas, Archie Gray, Adam Forshaw and Leo Hjelde are all sidelined. Besides that, Marsch will have a relatively strong matchday squad to try and get a result against the table toppers.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1):ย Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Cooper, Struijk; Adams, Roca; Harrison, Aaronson, Sinisterra; Rodrigo
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta will recall many regulars for the trip to Elland Road after resting most for the midweek trip. However, the quartet of William Saliba, Ben White, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard played in Norway and will remain in the starting eleven against Leeds.
๐ Three points away from home, and top of the group
๐ We did this together pic.twitter.com/Pj2l9nc4qV
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 13, 2022
Gabriel Jesus was rested and did not travel with the squad due to fatigue. The Brazilian is expected to lead the line again, while Gabriel Martinelli will start on on the left flank. In midfield, Granit Xhaka will resume his partnership with Thomas Partey. Albert Sambi Lokonga will be back on bench duties.
Gabriel Magalhaes will return to the team, and Takehiro Tomiyasu could start again at left-back. With Oleksandr Zinchenko a massive doubt after missing the Liverpool and Bodo/Glimt clashes and Tierney starting in midweek, the Japanese international is set to take up the role again.
Ben White is the preferred starter at right-back, while William Saliba will replace Rob Holding at the heart of the Arsenal defence. Emile Smith-Rowe and Mohamed Elneny continue their rehabilitation on the sidelines.
Probable lineup (4-3-3):ย Ramsdale; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won seven of their last eight matches against Leeds in all competitions.
- Arsenal have won nine of their last ten matches in the Premier League.
- Arsenal have scored at least two goals in nine of their last ten Premier League matches.
- Leeds United are unbeaten in their last five home matches in the Premier League.
- Leeds have won none of their last five matches in the Premier League, losing three games in that period.
Player to Watch
Gabriel Jesus
+3 points ๐ช๐ฝโ #alรดmรฃe #gratidรฃo #doperi pic.twitter.com/0F7qPYm4vN
— Gabriel Jesus (@gabrieljesus9) October 9, 2022
Mikel Arteta runs things with a relatively shallow squad compared to some of Arsenal’s top-six rivals. The Spaniard needed to allow rests to a few of his stars in midweek, and Gabriel Jesus was absent from the Bodo/Glimt fixture altogether. The much-needed rest will have recharged the Brazilian’s battery ahead of a crucial run of games.
The former Manchester City striker has been in phenomenal form since joined Arsenal. His record away from home, however, has yielded only one goal. Jesus will have eyes on getting himself on the scoresheet again, and the best way would be to find the net at Elland Road.
Prediction
Leeds United 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal’s only defeat has come away from home. They have won eight of their nine games in the top flight this season and remain favourites to continue that run at Elland Road. Moreover, Mikel Arteta has managed his squad well so far, meaning he will have a number of critical stars available against Leeds United.
Jesse Marsch’s men are still finding their feet despite starting the season well. They have been terrible since August, and their unbeaten streak at home is likely to end against the Gunners. We can expect Arsenal to take all three points with a comfortable scoreline and remain top of the Premier League after another matchday.
