Leeds United vs Arsenal
Elland Road will be packed to the rafters on Sunday for the visit of Premier League leaders Arsenal, as Leeds hope to get back to winning ways.
The hosts come into the game without a win in five and are sitting 14th in the league table as they’re three points above the drop zone, while Arsenal made it eight victories from nine after edging a five-goal thriller against Liverpool last week.
Thet win maintained the Gunners top spot and, with all due reference to the mighty Manchester City, that makes them the best team in England after nine games.
But head coach Mikel Arteta knows full well that nothing is won in October and his team has the painful memory of losing their top four place to Spurs in the very last week of last season.
The current Premier League 2022 betting odds place Arsenal as clear second favourites behind Manchester City, and I suspect Arteta would take that right now.
This time around, the Gunners look savvier and are displaying more steel to add to their customary flair, and that is a frightening prospect for Leeds.
But the Whites have won two and drawn two in the league at Elland Road and that will give the Yorkshire faithful some hope.
Talking Points
Key man Rasmus back to his best for Leeds
The signing of right-back Rasmus Kristensen didn’t cause the same level of excitement as one or two of Leeds’ other summer signings, but a highly impressive pre-season made the fans and pundits take note as the Danish international impressed in defence and in support of the attack.
Like several of his teammates, he’s had a few shaky moments in the winless run. But last Saturday in the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, Rasmus coped with the wing wizardry of Eagles talisman Wilfried Zaha superbly, prompting head coach Jesse Marsch to say: “He knew it was a big challenge to play against Zaha. I thought that was easily his best performance in a Leeds kit, so I’m really happy for him -unlucky on the day that it leads to a loss.”
On the other flank, Patrick Struijk will continue in the absence of Junior Firpo and he too can support Leeds’ attacking group.
Arsenal have only kept three clean sheets this season and the hosts will be hopeful of keeping it that way. Leeds need to recapture the form of their last win, a brilliant 3-0 trouncing of Chelsea and a result which put the Whites within touching reach of top spot.
Striker Rodrigo was superb on that day and wide-man Jack Harrison is the other player who could break down the Arsenal defence.
Sensational Martinelli commits his future to Arsenal
Arsenal’s Premier League 2022 results have been little short of brilliant so far and there have been a number of standout players.
Skipper Martin Odegaard, defender William Saliba, and striker Gabriel Jesus have all been outstanding. But with four goals and two assists already this season, Gabriel Martinelli is getting people talking beyond North London.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has already said that the young Brazilian could turn out the be the “talent of the century” and the way he got in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold for Arsenal’s first minute opener set the tone for the Gunners’ victory against the Reds.
And fans at the Emirates will be delighted to hear Martinelli has said he sees his long term future with the Gunners, and why not if they start to win silverware?
He’s a nightmare to defend against with quick dribbling skills a turn of pace and a lethal pass or finish, so Rasmus has his work cut out again.
At the other end of the pitch, Arteta may make a change to rest ever-present Gabriel. The 24-year-old could make way for Ben White as Takehiro Tomiyasu is fit to take his role at full back.
History
Arsenal have won 20 of the 32 encounters in the Premier League era, drawing five while Leeds have managed seven victories. Arsenal won the last four meetings, including a league double last term and a 1-4 victory at Elland Road.
In terms of recent form, Leeds have one win in six, drawing two, and losing three, and the win came six games ago. The Gunners, in stark contrast, have one defeat and five victories, and that loss came six games ago.
Both teams need a big turnaround in form for this one to go with the hosts.
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