Arsenal predicted line-up vs Leeds United: three changes made amid as £75m gem starts
The latest Arsenal team news, injury list and predicted XI ahead of their Premier League clash with Leeds United
Arsenal are back in Premier League action this weekend, when they take on Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium. The game comes after the three-week international break that saw England all but secure their place in the Nations League quarter-finals, after bouncing back from a loss to Spain by beating Czechia, Croatia, and then Czechia for a second time.
Mikel Arteta will be aware of the challenge facing his side on Saturday afternoon, with Leeds likely to prove tricky opponents following their encouraging start to the new season. However, it’s worth noting that the Whites’ record against the Gunners is appalling, with the north London side winning 15 of their last 20 meetings, including nine of their last ten.
Heading into the game, Arsenal have a number of injury concerns to deal with. Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis both look set to be out for at least a couple of weeks, after picking up knocks on international duty. Ezri Konsa suffered a quadricep injury while away with England, but the severity of the problem isn’t thought to be as notable.
Elsewhere, Declan Rice, Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White and Piero Hincapie are all expected to be available following a three-week rest, while William Saliba remains a long-term injury concern. Ahead of the Gunners’ eagerly anticipated clash against Leeds, this is the most likely starting XI Arteta will field as he looks to narrow the gap on the current Premier League leaders, Manchester City.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Leeds: Goalkeeper and defence
Arsenal are expected to line up with Arteta’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation that saw his side claim the Premier League title last season and make it all the way to the Champions League final. David Raya, who made one appearance for Spain during the international break, will be between the sticks as usual.
Jurrien Timber looks set to continue his encouraging return from the injury that saw him ruled out between March and his comeback last month, and should start at right-back. With central defensive numbers limited, it’s a toss up between Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera as to who will partner Gabriel - it will most likely be the latter.
Ricardo Calafiori is set to start on the left, after an exceptional start to the season that has seen the Italy international marauding down his flank and chipping in with a couple of assists in the process. He’s become an integral part of the side and a firm favourite with Fantasy Premier League players, too.
Will Rice start against Leeds?
As is often the case after an international break, we see footballers ruled out of action rise like Lazarus to immediately play for their club side. In fairness to Declan Rice, he ran a total of just over 500 miles between Arsenal and England duty last season, so he probably earned that holiday to Dubai. He’ll start in midfield against Leeds on Saturday, for sure.
Rice is set to play alongside £75m summer signing Bruno Guimaraes, as the pair continue to forge their encouraging partnership. Over on the left flank, Eberechi Eze looks set to benefit from Tzolis’ absence and bag a starting spot, with his fellow England international Bukayo Saka ready to start on the opposite wing.
Up top, there’s no Havertz, so Viktor Gyokeres will get his chance to lead the line. Things haven’t quite clicked for the ex-Sporting CP striker in an Arsenal shirt yet, with concerns remaining over his ability to produce the goods against high quality opposition. Leeds’ rigid defence will pose a tricky test for him on Saturday, that’s for sure.
Arsenal predicted line-up vs Leeds: Raya; Timber, Gabriel, Mosquera, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes; Saka, Odegaard, Eze; Gyokeres.