Arsenal will resume their charge for the Premier League title with a home game with Leeds United, who are in danger of dropping further down.
Mikel Arteta will have had the time to regroup his squad. His key players were with their respective countries during the international break. Arsenal will aim to extend their six-match winning run in the Premier League as they gear themselves up for the title run when they take on Leeds United on Saturday.
The international break was kind to Arsenal, although they had their share of problems with player fitness. Last time out in the Premier League, they ensured a solid victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates with a 4-1 scoreline.
Four matches. Four wins. Fourteen goals. โ @PremierLeague Manager of the Month for March ๐
Big congratulations to Mikel and his staff โค๏ธ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 31, 2023
As Manchester City were not playing that weekend, Arsenal took an eight-point lead at the top, albeit playing a game more than their rivals. The last ten games of the season are in front of Arteta. And with nothing else left to play for, they will lead their focus solely on the title.
The volatile nature of the bottom-half standings will bring many ups and downs in the relegation battle. The nine teams from 12th to 20th are in danger of dropping out, with Leeds United sitting only two points ahead of 18th-placed West Ham United.
Hence every point will count for the Whites in the late-season run-in. The club decided to sack Jesse Marsch and install Javi Gracia, which has paid off. The Spaniard has delivered results since his arrival. The result against Wolves away from home on the last matchday may have instilled some much-needed confidence.
Leeds players could also go back to their clash with Arsenal at Elland Road and map out a way to beat Arsenal. While the Whites lost that clash, their overall performance kept the Gunners on their toes and caused trouble. The game at the Emirates seems crucial, but Leeds will have one eye on their relegation double-header with Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace next.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
There are some concerns following the international break, with Mikel Arteta sweating over the fitness of a few of his key stars. The big blow came with the William Saliba update, although reports have been contrasting on the defender. Without a long-term conclusion, it is safe to assume the Frenchman will miss the Leeds game.
Limbering up for Leeds ๐ช
๐ London Colney pic.twitter.com/yRK4iJEkKn
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 30, 2023
Takehiro Tomiyasu remains out for the season after undergoing surgery on his knee. Meanwhile, there have been concerns with Thomas Partey, who sat out the last of Ghana’s matches with an issue in his right leg. Kieran Tierney and Leandro Trossard also had problems during the break. But all three stars will likely come back fit for the Leeds game.
On Partey, there is a chance he might sit on the bench for this clash, with Jorginho the likely starter. Arteta will retain Rob Holding in the backline and hope Saliba is back for the game against Liverpool next weekend. The only other change could be the first Premier League start for Gabriel Jesus since the World Cup.
Arteta might assess Trossard before the match on Saturday before deciding on Jesus. The Brazilian has been at London Colney getting sharper with his compatriots. The manager might ponder handing the No.9 a start against Leeds.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Ben White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Leeds United
The international break might have come down too hard on Leeds United. They have suffered some key injuries during this period, and some players may take a while to return. Tyler Adams underwent surgery for a hamstring problem, meaning he will play no part for the next few weeks.
๐๏ธ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ง๐ฒ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐: โAfter Tylerโs surgery, weโll see if he can play any games this season, weโll see day-by-day. Max and Willy, they need time to recover and are out of the team. Iโm optimistic, I believe in all the players I haveโ pic.twitter.com/juW12vgrVj
— Leeds United (@LUFC) March 30, 2023
Maximilian Wober and Wilfried Gnonto are also massive doubts about the Emirates clash. Robin Koch and Liam Cooper will take their places in central defence. Luke Ayling and Junior Firpo should form the full-back pairing for Leeds against Arsenal.
Marc Roca could come in for Adams in central midfield and partner with Weston McKennie. As for the front line, Brenden Aaronson should play the no.10 role as part of the shake-up due to Gnonto’s injury.
Jack Harrison will take Gnonto’s place on the left, while Crysencio Summerville will occupy the right flank. Patrick Bamford should remain the undisputed choice to lead the line. Gracia has options like Giorginio Rutter and Rodrigo from the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1):ย Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Firpo; Roca, McKennie; Summerville, Aaronson, Harrison; Bamford
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won their last six matches in the Premier League.
- Arsenal have won eight of their last nine matches against Leeds in all competitions.
- Arsenal have failed to score at the Emirates only once this season against Newcastle United.
- Leeds United have not won against Arsenal since 2003.
- Leeds United are only two points ahead of 18th-placed West Ham United.
Player to Watch
Bukayo Saka
๐ฅ The @premierleagueโs Player of the Month award for March goes to… @BukayoSaka87!
Congratulations, Bukayo โค๏ธ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 31, 2023
The Arsenal ‘star boy’ made plenty of difference last month, leading to the Premier League Player of the Month accolade. He took his club form to the international stage and produced a masterful performance for England against Ukraine.
Saka’s star continues to rise, and it is only good news for Arsenal. He also made a monumental difference in the reverse fixture against Leeds, scoring the winner. All eyes will be on the England international ahead of the title run-in as he stakes a claim for the Player of the Season award.
Prediction
Arsenal 3-1 Leeds United
Arsenal come into this game with minimal damage from the international break and on top form. With momentum, Mikel Arteta will aim for a seventh straight league victory. Leeds may come here at an unfortunate time in their relegation battle.
The Gunners will first hope Liverpool inflict problems on Manchester City during the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday and at least hope to keep the eight-point advantage at the top. Arteta will expect goals from his side. And with the form Arsenal forwards are in, they could score plenty against Leeds and take the three points.
