Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side face Arsenal on Sunday (16:30) in the Premier League.
The Whites go into the game having tasted victory in their last two away matches, a 2-1 success against Newcastle United which was followed up by an impressive 3-1 win against high-flying Leicester.
Those victories mean that Bielsa’s side have won six out of their 11 matches on the road during their first season back in the Premier League.
Arsenal - like plenty of other teams - have struggled on home turf this season. From their 11 matches, they have only recorded four wins, with three draws and four losses in their other seven fixtures.
Mikel Arteta’s side have overcome their troubles from the start of the season. Prior to back-to-back losses in their last two matches, the Gunners had been on a seven match unbeaten run, winning five.
That run included five clean sheets, adding to the overall total of eight for the season so far, showing Arsenal’s defensive record is strong. It’s at the opposite end where they will be looking to hit form now, having only scored 27 from their 23 games.
Top scorer Alexandre Lacazette has eight goals to his name, but he is backed up by a wealth of talent in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bukayo Saka and Nicholas Pepe. Looking to provide the assists will be Brazilian international Willian, along with emerging talent Emile Smith Rowe and recent Reald Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard.
For the Whites, Patrick Bamford leads the way in both the goalscoring (12) and assists (five) chart. Jack Harrison’s recent hot form has seen him move onto six goals and four assists, whereas opposite winger Raphinha has four and four. Attacking midfielder, Mateusz Klich has five assists to his name thus far.
A wealth of attacking talent on display is likely to see a free-flowing and exciting match at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
A win could see hosts Arsenal move into the top half of the table, back in front of the Whites. Whereas a win for Leeds would be unlikely to move them up any places - barring a huge swing in goal difference - but closing the gap to the teams above would be a welcome reward.
Manager/head coach
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta
Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa
League position
Arsenal: 11th
Leeds: 10th
Premier League form
Arsenal: WWDLL
Leeds: LWWLW
Premier League top scorer
Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette (8)
Leeds: Patrick Bamford (12)
Head to head
Arsenal: 47
Draws: 33
Leeds: 41
Last time at the Emirates Stadium
Emirates FA Cup
Monday 6th January 2020
Arsenal 1 (Nelson 55’)
Leeds United 0
Team news
Rodrigo, Ian Poveda, Diego Llorente and Robin Koch are all out for the Whites. Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that it will be touch and go right up until kick-off, to see if Kalvin Phillips can play in the match.
For Arsenal, Bernd Leno and David Luiz return from suspension. Influential midfielder Thomas Partey has been ruled out with a hamstring injury and will miss the game, along with full-back Kieran Tierney who remains sidelined.
Officials
Referee - Stuart Attwell
Assistant Referee 1 - Dan Cook
Assistant Referee 2 - Simon Long
Fourth Official - Simon Hooper
Video Assistant Referee - Andre Marriner
The key battle
Hector Bellerin vs Jack Harrison
Harrison is in superb form and will be looking to add to his impressive goal and assist tally this weekend. The winger has scored in Leeds United’s last three victories, including two away from home. In his debut Premier League season, he has already amassed ** goals and ** assists, so far.
Bellerin is likely to be Harrison’s direct opponent. The Spanish international full-back is an experienced Premier League player, having been at Arsenal since 2013. The 25-year-old is part of a Gunners defence that has kept eight clean sheets so far this campaign.
Latest odds
Arsenal: 17/20
Draw: 11/4
Leeds: 13/5
How to watch
The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports, with live commentary on LUTV.
