Arsenal did manage to enter the new Premier League season with the narrowest possible margin of victory at Old Trafford, but it was definitely not the Gunners' best game. Arsenal players will have a chance to make a better impression this Saturday (23 August 2025) from 18:30 (CET) when they face their first home game of the new season. In the second round, the squad will take on Mikel Arteta's with newcomer Leeds, who incidentally also entered the league season with a 1-0 win. Daniel Farke's charges beat Everton in front of their own fans after returning to the English elite. The clear favourites for the clash at the Emirates Stadium are the home side, but we all know very well that it may not mean anything yet. So let's take a look together at everything there is to know before the game.
Form
As I mentioned in the very beginning of the blog, both teams managed to win 1-0 in the first round of the Premier League. After an unconvincing performance, Arsenal managed to take a very valuable three points at Old Trafford thanks to a goal Riccardo Calafiori after a corner kick, while Leeds edged out Everton after a solid performance at their home stadium. The only goal at Elland Road came after a controversial penalty from German striker Lukas Nmecha.
Just like last week, this time I cannot comprehensively assess the form of Arsenal or their opponents. Preparatory matches cannot really be taken into account in this respect and one single league round played is simply not enough for any conclusions. Moreover, it was the first round of the new season, which is always a bit specific. To look at the teams' form in more detail, we teams will need to play at least five competitive matches. This is the minimum necessary to evaluate the form and performance of the team.
Team and expected line-up
Mikel Arteta has at his disposal ahead of the new Premier League season almost complete cadre. I mean, from a medical perspective, what happens on the transfer market before its closure (1 September 2025 at 12:00 CET) is a question of. The final weeks and especially days can be very wild and unpredictable on the transfer market. But back to the squad that the Spanish manager will have at his disposal. As I have already hinted, the Gunners' squad is almost empty. The only player in the A team who is not yet ready to play is Gabriel Jesuswho's still recovering from knee surgery.
David Raya
David Raya in the very first game of the season showed why he is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. The Spanish goalkeeper's complex and confident performance contributed to the three points. The proof is the player of the match award. David Raya will definitely be in goal for the first home game at Emirates Stadium.
Jurriën Timber
After he brought the game at Old Trafford minor injury Ben White, the right-back position should be clear for the game against Leeds. Jurriën Timber in my opinion, he'll be in the starting eleven even assuming the English defender can get his health back before Saturday's game. I don't believe Mikel Arteta will gamble with injuries right at the start of the new season.
William Saliba
Performance William Saliba and his partner Gabriel were one of the few positivesthat could be found in Arsenal's play at Old Trafford. I have not the slightest doubt that the French stopper should not be in the starting line-up. Managers generally don't like to touch the stopper. Even more so when it's a stopper pairing of the calibre and chemistry that Saliba and Gabriel have.
Gabriel
U Gabriel the same as William Saliba. The French-Brazilian stopper duo is the heart of the Gunners' defence and if both players are fit, they will almost always be part of Mikel Arteta's starting eleven. Here I will use a "hackneyed" football phrase, which is: Offense wins games, defense wins titles. The Spanish manager at Arsenal is well aware of this and that's why he has long relied on his star stopper duo.
Riccardo Calafiori
Last week I favoured youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back, but now I'm more inclined to think that the Italian defender will get more space on the pitch. And it's certainly not because he scored against Manchester. Just the fact that he got the nod in the first game of the season says something. On the other hand, it is possible and also probable that the Arsenal coaching staff will adjust the lineup according to the opponent. In any case, both Calafiori and Lewis-Skelly present a similar playing style, with frequent involvement in the midfield and considerable offensive involvement. I myself am curious to see how the situation on the left side of the defense will develop. Against Leeds, I think he'll start again from the opening whistle Riccardo Calafiori.
Martín Zubimendi
It was only after the Manchester City game that media reports emerged that he had been sent off in the Premier League Martín Zubimendi He had a bad virus and missed a lot of training ahead of the Old Trafford game. However, the Spanish midfielder refused to miss the game and made it clear to the manager that he wanted to play. That's exactly the kind of attitude you need from players. Even though Zubimendi was not in the best shape, he still got priority over other players. That's saying something. For Mikel Arteta, he is obviously the clear number one at the quarterback position, which is why I expect him in the starting lineup against Leeds.
Declan Rice
What new to write at Declana Rice. Probably nothing. As I've been praising and praising the tracking duo, so Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard represent something similar, but in the back row. Indispensable members of the axis team. All indications are that they will be joined by the aforementioned Martín Zubimendi. Arsenal's midfield looks really solid and Declan Rice is one of the main reasons why that is the case.
Martin Ødegaard
A starting eleven without a captain? I don't think many people can imagine that. Martin Ødegaard is the brain of Arsenal's offense and despite the fact that Mikel Arteta has other quality players at his disposal (such as Ethan Nwaneri or youngster Max Dowman) and may have more before the end of the transfer window (but let's not get ahead of ourselves), so The Norwegian footballer is nowadays simply and inherently part of the core.
Bukayo Saka
Another player whose place in the starting lineup can be said with exaggeration to be secure. Bukayo Saka has developed into one of the best wingers in the Premier League, so it makes no sense to leave him out of the starting line-up. A difference maker who will rarely be missing in the starting lineup. I'd be very surprised if he didn't jump in from the first minute against Leeds.
Noni Madueke
I expect the second change in the starting lineup on the left wing...where Gabriel Martinelli joined the Old Trafford side. It's not so much about his not-so-good performance in the first leg, that could be said of most Arsenal players, but rather it's about the expected run of play. Leeds will most likely defend very deep and Noni Madueke is in my opinion a much more valid player for a closed defence than Gabriel Martinelliand that's why I'm expecting a new summer addition to the Cannoneers.
Viktor Gyökeres
Not quite a successful debut at Old Trafford by Viktor Gyökeres is certainly no cause for panic. Virtually zero service and Arsenal's generally poor offensive play caused the Swedish striker to get virtually nowhere in the game. With injuries to Gabriel Jesus and now Kai Havertz, perhaps there is no hesitation about whether the burly Swede will start against Leeds from the start of the game. He'll step in and silence his critics. Mark my words.
Substitutes
In the last game, several players were not among the substitutes and the same situation will happen again. Due to the recovery from a long-term injury, logically will not be available Gabriel Jesus. At the same time it will be missing and newly injured Kai Havertz, for whom it is not yet clear how long the absence will be. One of the new reinforcements is also dealing with health problems, Christian Nørgaardwho will also be missing against Leeds.
The backup goalie position should be clear, Ray will be cover your back Kepa Arrizabalaga. Defensive players should be prepared Cristhian Mosquera, Myles-Lewis Skelly and healed Ben White. The other substitutes should be more like midfielders, whether central, fringe or versatile. Taking it one step at a time.y part of the cadre should be Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli. The last spot on the bench will most likely be contested Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior or a young man Max Dowman. Personally I would bet on the Polish stopper, but let's be surprised.
About the opponent
Leeds is one of this year's three newcomers, and this is one of the main reasons why I have not studied Daniel Farke's team at all. Whatever Leeds' position, they certainly deserve praise for last season. Exactly 100 points and the first place in the Championshipwhich logically meant direct promotion back to the English elite. However, we all know that teams that get promoted to the Premier League often struggle to keep up in England's top competition.
This is also why Leeds have been quite active in the transfer market. The team has attracted some relatively big names (in the context of a newcomer) and well known to English football fans. Specifically, these are Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Everton and Sean Longstaff from Newcastle. Other interesting signings include Noah Okafor from AC Milan, Lukas Nmecha from Wolfsburg or Anton Stach from Hoffenheim. And that's not all. Moreover, the transfer window in England ends on September 1, so Leeds fans can still expect some reinforcements.
We'll have to wait a little longer to see how Leeds do in the Premier League.
Match
A good old song performed by a favorite and an underdog? In my opinion it will be so, what else to expect? I guess nothing. I suppose it will Leeds won't want to venture into an open game with Arsenal and adopt a tactic of deep defensive blocks and fast breaks. On the other hand, the home side will want to dictate the pace of the game so that they can bombard their opponents with centers and shot attempts. I'm curious to see how accurate I was with the projected lineup. I believe that the differences in the lineup (if any) will be minimal, as there are more than enough players in the lineup who can break down any defensive block, whether through individual penetrations or passing.
Arsenal are the clear favourites for the game on paper and it's probably no wonder. The home environment, the quality and breadth of the squad, the experience... All this plays into the hands of Mikel Arteta's charges. I believe that the Gunners will cope with Leeds at the Emirates Stadium without any major problems. I predict Arsenal will go for a comfortable 3-0 win.
Next match
The Gunners will next play in the Premier League in the round of 16 at Anfield. The Liverpool clash is on the agenda. Sunday 31 August 2025 from 17:30 (CET).
See you next time, I'll look forward to it!
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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.