Game Week 24: Arsenal to beat Leeds at Elland Road

Premier League preview: Leeds United vs Arsenal at Elland Road – Gunners bounce back post-United loss, Leeds fight survival; verdict Arsenal win.

Arsenal must prove that their poor outing against Manchester United was a blip when they visit Leeds on Saturday, they must win the game. (Photo credit: Opta)

 Leeds United vs Arsenal

Elland Road

4:00pm

Arsenal lost at home for the first time in all competitions last weekend against Manchester United; now they have a chance to prove it was just a blip and not their new normal.

Leeds United still holds a six-point advantage over West Ham, who currently occupies the 18th spot, and just one point over Nottingham Forest, who sits one place above the Hammers; survival is the only language Leeds understands, and they must fight for their right to stay in the league.

Arsenal remains the hot favourite to win the title, but they must get a grip. The Gunners have everyone fit and available now. Without reading too much meaning into their loss at the Emirates against Manchester United, they must do better than they did in midweek in the Champions League.

Speaking of the Champions League, it’s hard to question a team that sits on top of the log with a 100% record, and, despite an underwhelming result against Kairat Almaty, a win is a win, and you may have to consider the fact that it was a much-rotated squad that prosecuted the game.

Leeds United has been impressive recently. Daniel Farke seems to have found a balance, but he cannot go gung-ho against the Gunners. They have made Elland Road a fortress, and anything they earn against the log leaders would be a huge bonus.

Leeds got a real hammering at the Emirates; they were beaten 5-0 on a day Arsenal suffered two major injuries to Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. The two are important to whatever Arsenal does this season, and keeping them fit would mean everything to Mikel Arteta.

Leeds could have earned more than a point at Everton if not for Barry’s late leveller, and before then, they had won two games on the bounce. They have almost an identical form to the Gunners, but the quality in the Arsenal’s squad makes them the favourite to win this one.

Gabriel Gudmunsson is likely to miss this one, as he hasn’t trained yet, while this fixture could come too soon for Lukas Nmecha. Everyone else is fit and available for Daniel Farke to call on. How will they manage the ball and their chances? The answer to that is where their chances in the game lie.

Arsenal will go for this one. Their lead at the top has been reduced to four, and with Spurs hosting Manchester City, you expect Arsenal to gain some ground again if the Cityzens drop points. Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice will be immense for the Gunners in this one.

Verdict: Arsenal to win.