After the long international break, Premier League football finally returns with the Whites’ trip to the Emirates to face reigning champions Arsenal on Saturday.
Leeds United go into the encounter still unbeaten after the opening five top-flight matches, collecting nine points in the process.
Before several players travelled away with their countries, Daniel Farke’s side were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace at Elland Road after previously dismantling Newcastle United on home soil.
In that victory over the Magpies, England international Dominic Calvert-Lewin grabbed a brace, making it four in all competitions to start the new term for last campaign’s leading scorer.
While the visit to the capital promises to offer a stern test for the Whites, Leeds do boast the joint-best defensive record in the division having only conceded three times from the opening set of fixtures.
The Gunners began the defence of their Premier League title with four wins from their opening four fixtures, after lifting the Community Shield in the term’s curtain raiser at Wembley.
Mikel Arteta’s side also recorded an impressive win over Napoli away from home in the Champions League and cruised past Ipswich Town in the EFL Cup to reach Round Four of the competition.
Despite their impressive form, Arsenal’s unbeaten run came to an end before the international break as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Action from the Emirates gets underway at 12:30pm.
The view from inside the camp:
Looking ahead to the clash, James Justin said: “I feel like we have come on a lot from last season, and last season’s games against them were not good by any stretch of the imagination. We are not shying away from that fact. This year we will come with some different ideas to face what is one of the best sides, if not the best side in the league this season.”
Team News:
In his pre-match press conference, the boss explained Daniel James returned from international duty with a back injury and is likely to join Joe Rodon on the sidelines for this one. There were positive updates on Jean-Mattéo Bahoya and Harry Wilson, however. Both have returned to team training and could possibly feature.
Supporter information:
Arsenal Tube Station is currently shut due to water damage. Please refer to the Transport for London X account (@Tfl) or website (https://tfl.gov.uk/) for updates. More information about the Emirates can be found here.
Discriminatory language or chanting, including homophobic chanting, is not acceptable, and you could be breaking the law. The club condemns this behaviour and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination abuse of all kinds.
Tough measures and sanctions are in place across all English football leagues to tackle dangerous and illegal behaviours within football grounds, and this involves but is not limited to, discriminatory behaviour, tragedy chanting, fans entering the pitch, the use of pyros and throwing objects.
How to follow:
Monthly audio subscribers around the world can listen to every minute of Saturday’s fixture LIVE on LUTV. Bryn Law will be joined by Tony Dorigo on commentary. Pre-match build up begins at 12pm with Dom Matteo and Andy Couzens in the studio! The match has also been selected for live TV coverage on TNT Sports for viewers in the UK.
What has the boss said:
The latest FPL advice from Fantasy Football Scout:
Fresh from his two starts in England colours over the international break, FPL managers will be keen to see James Trafford (£5.0m) continue his great start to the season. The goalkeeper is Leeds’ second-highest scorer in FPL this term with a total of 28-points. Gameweek 5 brought Trafford’s first double-digit return of the season. He racked up five saves in the match, meaning he earned himself a save point.
Trafford ranks first amongst goalkeepers for the most saves made over the first five gameweeks of the season. The Leeds shot-stopper has made 20 saves. He is the third-highest scoring goalkeeper in the entire game overall and remains a great differential given his relatively low ownership of just 5.5 per cent. Read more here.
League position:
Arsenal: 2nd
Leeds: 5th
Top scorer in all comps:
Arsenal: Bukayo Saka & Martin Ødegaard (3)
Leeds: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (4)
Officials:
Referee: Paul Tierney
Assistant referees: Richard West & Steven Meredith
Fourth Official: Oliver Langford
Video Assistant Referee: Tony Harrington
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Nick Greenhalgh
