Arsenal Face Leeds in a Clash You Can't Miss: Bold Predictions and Expected Lineups Revealed

Arsenal have a statement to make when they return from the international break to take on Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Gunners were embarrassed in their last outing before the club soccer hiatus, suffering a stunning 3–0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion. The heavy defeat ended their flawless start to the campaign and allowed Manchester City to overtake them in the table.

Mikel Arteta, who recently signed a new contract extension with Arsenal, will demand a marked improvement at the Emirates Stadium in the first of six games before October's end. While one eye may be on the Champions League fixture against Lille next Tuesday, any lack of focus this weekend could be exploited by a confident Leeds side.

The Yorkshire club are undefeated through their opening five Premier League games and head into this round of fixtures sitting fifth. Much like Arsenal, defensive solidity has been central to their strong start, with no side having conceded fewer than the three goals they have let in so far.

Arsenal vs. Leeds Score Prediction

Arsenal Return to Winning Ways

Brighton handed Arsenal a painful lesson before the international break, exactly five months after the club's previous Premier League defeat. But, as true champions tend to do, the Gunners should bounce back immediately.

Leeds will be a tricky opponent and are capable of causing an upset with their direct counter-attacking approach, but Arsenal, particularly with the home crowd behind them, should have enough to overcome them.

Despite a number of injury concerns heading into the match, Arteta has a wealth of world-class talent at his disposal across all areas of the pitch. The Spaniard will be keen to shore things up at the back after being outfoxed by Brighton, and those defensive improvements will give the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard the platform to shine.

Prediction: Arsenal 2–0 Leeds

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Leeds

Arteta will have been frustrated during the international break, with Ezri Konsa, Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis and Max Dowman all withdrawing from their respective national squads early due to fitness concerns.

Konsa's dead leg is anticipated to clear up in time for the Leeds fixture, where he is expected to partner Gabriel at the back. Elsewhere in central defense, William Saliba remains on the sidelines and Cristhian Mosquera may miss out once again.

Tzolis and Havertz could both be unavailable in attack, which may hand Eberechi Eze a starting berth on the left flank and Viktor Gyökeres the opportunity to lead the line. The latter is in excellent form having netted in all four of Sweden's UEFA Nations League outings.

Declan Rice sat out the international window with England, but he is expected to start in midfield alongside either Myles Lewis-Skelly or Bruno Guimarães. With Ben White still a fitness doubt at right back, Jurriën Timber looks set to start for the second match running.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Leeds (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Ødegaard, Eze; Gyökeres.

Leeds Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal

Leeds suffered just one setback during the break, with summer signing Jean-Mattéo Bahoya departing France's Under-21s early after rolling his ankle. However, Farke has confirmed there is a "chance that he is available" for the trip to Arsenal.

Harry Wilson is set to make his return after rejoining full training on Tuesday. He missed the opportunity to represent Wales during the break due to a thigh complaint. His international teammate Dan James will be absent, however, after picking up a back injury while on international duty. He joins fellow Wales international Joe Rodon in the treatment room.

Farke may opt for an unchanged side from the one that shared the spoils with Crystal Palace before the break, with the striking partnership of Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin crucial if Leeds are to take anything from their trip to north London.

Leeds predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (3-5-2): Trafford; Justin, Elvedi, Muharemović; Bogle, Stach, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson; Calvert-Lewin, Okafor.

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