Injuries to several first-team regulars mean Arsenal may be forced into reshuffles, while Leeds arrive with fitness concerns of their own.
Arsenal return to the Emirates on Saturday aiming to build on their hard-fought opening win at Old Trafford. Mikel Arteta’s side edged past Manchester United thanks to resilience more than fluency, but injuries and late fitness checks threaten to reshape his line-up once again. Depth and adaptability will be essential.
Arsenal’s fitness concerns
Gabriel Jesus remains sidelined following knee surgery, while Kai Havertz is highly doubtful with a knee problem that has kept him out of training all week. Ben White is another concern after limping off against United and missing subsequent sessions. Jurrien Timber has resumed partial training after his long absence but is still short of match readiness. Christian Nørgaard is yet to recover from a knock.
Leeds’ injury problems
Daniel Farke faces issues of his own. Ethan Ampadu is a major doubt after sustaining a knock. With several players uncertain, Leeds may be forced into late tactical changes.
Tactics and expectations
Arsenal have an imposing record in this fixture, unbeaten in 14 meetings with Leeds (12 wins, two draws). They will look to control the midfield through Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka expected to stretch a patched-up Leeds defence. Viktor Gyökeres, yet to score since his move, will be under pressure to make an impression in front of the home crowd. Leeds are likely to adopt a deeper line and look to counter, using pace out wide.
Parallels off the pitch
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Conclusion
Arsenal remain favourites thanks to their depth, home advantage, and dominance in the fixture, but injuries mean complacency is not an option.