Preview: Arsenal vs Leeds United

Preview: Arsenal vs Leeds United

Whites in Carabao Cup action.

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening (7:45pm) in the Carabao Cup, live on Sky Sports Football.

The tie brings back excellent memories with Leeds having lifted the trophy against their upcoming opposition, after a 1-0 win in the 1968 final at Wembley thanks to Terry Cooper’s winner. This is the first meeting between the two in what is traditionally known as the League Cup, since 1979. 

This will be the third match for either side in the Carabao Cup this season. Leeds began the competition by beating Crewe Alexandra at Elland Road and Mikel Arteta’s team hit West Bromwich Albion for six away from home. 

Both teams defeated London opposition in the previous stage to reach Round Four, with Leeds overcoming Fulham on penalties, whilst the Gunners continued their fine goal-scoring, comfortably dispatching AFC Wimbledon. 

Teams will be allowed to make five substitutions from this round going forward after the EFL Board approved a rule change. All five changes will need to be made using just three breaks in play, or at half-time. 

Staying with rules, there is no extra-time in the cup until the semi-final stages. As seen when the Whites went to Fulham, should the match finish in a draw, it goes straight to penalties. There is also no VAR at this stage. 

Leeds haven’t made the quarter-final of the League Cup since 2016/17, whilst Arsenal went out at the quarter-final stage of the competition last season after a home defeat to eventual winners, Manchester City.  

The side who progresses from this Round Four clash will find out their next opponents on Saturday morning, live on Soccer AM. The quarter final clashes are due to take place during the week of December 20th. 


Manager/head coach:

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta

Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa


Carabao Cup Round Three result:

Arsenal 3-0 AFC Wimbledon

Arteta’s side comfortably overcame Sky Bet League One opposition at the Emirates to progress to this stage, 

Fulham 0-0(p) Leeds United

The Whites progressed in a tense penalty shootout at Craven Cottage, following a goalless draw inside the initial 90 minutes. 


What are the other ties? 

Tuesday October 26 

Arsenal vs Leeds United 

Chelsea vs Southampton 

Queens Park Rangers vs Sunderland 

Wednesday October 27 

Burnley vs Tottenham Hotspur 

Leicester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion 

Preston North End vs Liverpool 

Stoke City vs Brentford 

West Ham United vs Manchester City


Top scorer (all competitions)

Arsenal: Aubameyang (7)

Leeds: Raphinha (3)


Head to head

Arsenal: 41

Draws: 33

Leeds: 48


A match to remember


Team news

Marcelo Bielsa’s side still have a number of injuries to contend with a head of the match. The head coach previously confirmed that Junior Firpo, Luke Ayling, Patrick Bamford and Robin Koch would all still be missing, whilst there are fresh concerns over Raphinha after the striker was injured against Wolves on Saturday. For Arsenal, Kieran Tierney is expected to still be out for the cup tie with a bruised ankle. Granit Xhaka is the only long-term player on the injury table, but 


Officials

Referee – Andre Marriner

Assistant Referee 1 – Harry Lennard

Assistant Referee 2 – Scott Ledger

Fourth Official – Andrew Madley


Players to watch:

Eddie Nketiah vs Joe Gelhardt

If selected, both young strikers will be looking to go out on the pitch and further showcase their ability. The Whites know all about the goal-scoring capabilities of Nketiah and the striker also has a great record in the competition, with six goals in seven appearances. Gelhardt made his first team debut in the Carabao Cup, scoring in the penalty shoot-out at Fulham, and has recently followed up with impressive performances in the Premier League. 


Latest odds

Arsenal: 4/7

Draw: 3/1

Leeds: 17/4


How to watch

The match has been selected for Sky Sports coverage, whilst match commentary is also available via LUTV.

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