Three games in the Premier League without a win. That's how long the squad has been waiting Mikel Arteta's for a three-point lead in the domestic league competition. That's certainly not an ideal record for a team trying to finally win the championship after years of failed attempts. Still, thanks to two wobbles by both Aston Villa and Manchester City in the last three rounds, Arsenal are still at the top of the table. Currently with a four-point lead. Perhaps Arsenal's recent league losses hurt all the more. The Gunners' lead could have been much more comfortable if... and you know the rest. Ifs simply aren't played in football, so there's nothing to do but concentrate fully on the next game. For Arsenal, that will be the game at Elland Road, where they will face Leeds at home. The footballers from the Emirates Stadium have been getting results in almost all competitions except the Premier League lately. But now it is high time to end the unflattering streak and score again.
Form
Starting with today's blog, I'll be present the current form of both teams through tables, which are, in my opinion, much clearer. Moreover, each of you can make your own picture of the current form based on the recent results of both teams.
Arsenal
| 📈 Current form: 🟢 🔴 🟢 🟡 🟢 |
| ⚽️ Results: Arsenal 3:2 Kairat Almaty (CL), Arsenal 2:3 Manchester United (PL), Inter 1:3 Arsenal (CL), Nottingham 0:0 Arsenal (PL), Chelsea 2:3 Arsenal (EFL Cup) |
| 🏆 Premier League position: 1. (50 points) |
Leeds
| 📈 Current form: 🟡 🟢 🟢 🔴 🟡 |
| ⚽️ Results: Everton 1:1 Leeds (PL), Leeds 1:0 Fulham (PL), Derby 1:3 Leeds (FA Cup), Newcastle 4:3 Leeds (PL), Leeds 1:1 Manchester United (PL) |
| 🏆 Premier League position: 16th (26 points) |
Team and expected line-up
Spanish manager in Wednesday's Champions League match, as expected, significantly changed the line-up. A large number of key players did not play at all or only for a few minutes, and players who do not play as often, picked up valuable minutes on the field. What does this mean for the league game against Leeds? Arsenal will field the strongest possible line-up. And that's exactly what I expect from Mikel Arteta, the strongest possible lineup. After three league games without a win, Arsenal must go into the game against Leeds with a full field. What the Spanish manager's idea of the strongest line-up for Saturday's game remains a question. He has more than enough options on how he can put the team together.
Expected line-up
Mikel Arteta really has the pick of the lineup at the moment superior comfort, that other managers can only dream of. Apart from having a lot to choose from in terms of quality of players, he currently has such a wide squad that he will not only select the starting line-up, but also players who will be included in the nomination. Unfortunately, some players will have to stay at home, although they are not suffering from any injuries or disciplinary punishment.
The defensive lineup could look like it did at the beginning of the season after a long time. Maybe just like in the first match between the two teams. To be specific. David Raya will return to the three poles. In the centre of defence, the traditional pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba and on the flanks, Jurriën Timber and Riccardo Calafiori. In the centre of the pitch I expect the traditional trio of Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard. On the right wing, Bukayo Saka will certainly not be missed. The Spanish manager's biggest dilemma will be on the left wing and at the top of the attack. Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli or Eberechi Eze? Or someone else entirely? There are countless variants. The next big decision is the selection of a tip striker. Although the week in the Champions League saw the goalscorers Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz, who, by the way, came to collect the player of the match award, I think Gabriel Jesus will start against Leeds from the first minute.
Absences
The current number of injured players in the Arsenal squad? Zero. Although I haven't seen any update on the health status anywhere for quite some time. Max Dowman, who incidentally signed a pre-contract with Arsenal this week, Mikel Arteta confirmed that all players are available. In the last Champions League game, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino. Defensemen William Saliba and Jurriën Timber were also given time off, reportedly for treatment of minor injuries. However, all of them should be available and part of the nomination this time. So who will be missing from the 20-man squad that will travel to Elland Road? My personal guess is that this time Mikel Arteta will save Ben White, who has been slowed down by injury several times since the start of the season. The reason is purely precautionary. The other players will be the traditional Christian Nørgaard, who, ironically, gives a very decent performance when he comes on and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Opponent
| 🏟️ Stadium: Elland Road, Leeds (capacity 37 792) |
| 👔 Manager: Daniel Farke |
| 🧤GoalkeepersLucas Perri, Karl Darlow |
| 🛡️ Defenders: Ethan Ampadu, Jaka Bijol, Jayden Bogle, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Samuel Bryam, Gabriel Gudmundson, James Justin, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk |
| 🎯 Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, Facundo Buonanotte, Ilia Gruev, Daniel James, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach, Ao Tanaka |
| ⚽️ ForwardsDominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha, Wilfried Gnoto, Noah Okafor, Joel Piroe |
Match
Arsenal beat Leeds at Emirates Stadium in their first meeting this season by the difference of class and won 5:0. Although I would really like the Gunners to repeat the result at Elland Road, I think it won't be so clear-cut this time. For Arsenal, it's vital to get the three points and I don't think Mikel Arteta's game plan will be based on blowing the opposition away at all costs, but rather winning. Plus Leeds, apart from the game at St James’ Park, haven't been scoring many goals lately, so even a good Arsenal performance doesn't automatically mean a high number of goals scored.
When I look at all the key factors, Arsenal clearly have the edge compared to Leeds. But we all know that in the Premier League, outsiders can beat favourites. Especially on home soil. I believe that scenario is not going to happen this time. Arsenal should dominate the game. I think that we will have a classic game between a clear favourite and an underdog. Arsenal will conquer the home goal, while Leeds will rely on a deep block and breakout situations. With the quality of players that Mikel Arteta has at his disposal, Arsenal should take all three points from Elland Road. And that's regardless of the Spanish manager's choice of starting eleven. Either way, there will be a number of players on the bench who can referee games. Either way, I hope there will be no drama but a dominant performance in the sense that Arsenal will take an early lead which they will calmly protect. I predict Arsenal to win 2:0.
Next match
Mikel Arteta's men will play their next game on Tuesday 3 February 2026 at 21:00 (CET), as they welcome home the EFL Cup semi-final rematch Chelsea. Arsenal will go into the rematch with a one-goal lead, which they brought back from Stamford Bridge, where they won 3:2.
See you next time, I'll look forward to it!
You might be interested in
- Will Arsenal extend their 100% record in the Champions League?
- Finally at home, Arsenal host Manchester at the Emirates
- Arsenal will challenge Inter at the San Siro again after one year
- Arsenal to face Nottingham at City Ground
- The EFL Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Arsenal is here!
Editor, administrator and editor of the True Gunner Diary website, but above all a devoted Arsenal fan. I started with sports articles at the Tipsport bookmaker, where I have published more than 100 blogs. If you want to know more about me, check out the section of the same name here on the site.