(4-2-3-1) Eberechi debut, Nwaneri deployed as number 10″, Predicted Arsenal line up vs Leeds United – as Mikel Arteta starts two new creative Midfielders to feed Gyokeres through balls
(4-2-3-1) Eberechi debut, Nwaneri deployed as number 10″, Predicted Arsenal line up vs Leeds United – as Mikel Arteta starts two new creative Midfielders to feed Gyokeres through balls
With or without Eberechi Eze pulling the creative strings, Arsenal host newly-promoted Leeds United on Saturday evening, in their opening home game of the new Premier League campaign.
Match preview
Where Arsenal’s open-play sequences failed, their set-piece situations proved to be their salvation; a familiar tale from the 2024-25 season and one that rang incredibly true for Arteta at Old Trafford on the opening Premier League weekend.
Riccardo Calafiori capitalised on some questionable goalkeeping from Man United number two Altay Bayindir to make the difference, although Gooners will be under no illusions that their charges were fortunate to leave with maximum spoils, as a Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha-reinforced Man United huffed and puffed throughout.
However, thanks to the Red Devils’ wasteful finishing and customary heroics from David Raya, Arsenal beat Man United 1-0 away from home for the sixth time in the Premier League era, and the Gunners’ unbeaten run against the traditional ‘Big Six’ in the top flight now stands at a staggering 22 matches.
Picking up from where they left off in 2024-25, the silver medallists are on a three-game winning run in the Premier League, although all of those victories have only been by a solitary goal; furthermore, their last top-flight home win by two goals or more came over six months ago in the 5-1 thumping of Manchester City.
Nevertheless, even a slender success will see Arsenal etch their name into a new page of the record books; the Gunners are unbeaten in 42 straight Premier League home games against newly-promoted sides, one short of the all-time best set by Chelsea from 2001 to 2015.
Mere hours after it emerged that Kai Havertz had suffered a new knee injury – the severity of which is unclear – Arsenal beat Tottenham once again, this time off the pitch as they hijacked their rivals’ move for Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze.
All parties have agreed the terms of the deal, but it will surely be too soon for the England international to make his debut for his dream club on Saturday, so Gabriel Martinelli’s spot on the left-hand side of the attack is safe for the time being.
However, Ben White and Christian Norgaard will both need late fitness tests due to knocks – the latter also missed the win over Man United – while Gabriel Jesus (ACL) is still a few months away from a complete recovery.
On Leeds’ end, Farke was forced to withdraw Ethan Ampadu against Everton, and it has now transpired that the former Chelsea product has sustained an MCL injury, which will rule him out until after the international break.
Ilia Gruev should be first in line to take his place at the base of the midfield, but the Whites should have a fully-fit squad available otherwise; Jaka Bijol is back from suspension and Sebastiaan Bornauw was on the bench against Everton following a calf issue.
There was no emotional debut for Dominic Calvert-Lewin against his former club on Monday, and the Englishman now has additional competition from Noah Okafor, who may be considered for his debut after arriving from AC Milan.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Perri; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Stach, Gruev, Tanaka; Gnonto, Nmecha, Harrison
