Arsenal open their home account in the Premier League against Leeds United, with both teams aiming to keep their momentum following wins in Gameweek 1.

Arsenal did a job at Old Trafford and came out on top with a narrow 1-0 victory in their opening game of the Premier League season, and their home account opens against Leeds United this weekend. The performances were not up to the mark by the standards set by Mikel Arteta, with many of the key players far away from their usual selves.

An early goal around the 13th minute from Riccardo Calafiori proved enough to secure the points, but Manchester United made the Arsenal defence work hard for the win. Arteta will want to see a different team performance in the opening home game of the season, as he would have worked on the attacking setup to click into gear.

Arsenal are set to face Leeds United at the Emirates on Saturday and then travel to take on Liverpool at Anfield before the international break. Hence, Arteta must maximise the points in these upcoming games, particularly the one against Leeds United on home soil.

Like Arsenal, Leeds United opened their account with a narrow 1-0 win over Everton at Elland Road courtesy of a second-half penalty, scored by new arrival Lukas Nmecha. The spot-kick in itself was a controversial call by referee Chris Cavanagh, as VAR supported the on-field decision after a period of review.

Daniel Farke’s men were the better side when it came to attacking the box and dominating the ball. Despite that, they did face challenges in converting chances into goals and may face their biggest test yet when they take on the best defensive setup in the division in Arsenal.

Farke will hope to build on the momentum from the first game, and winning or even managing a draw at the Emirates will be seen as a big result for a newly-promoted side. However, they are facing a potential title-challenger, which might see Leeds United adapt to a different style compared to the team that were constantly attacking Everton on Monday night.

Team News & Tactics

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is expected to name a similar lineup that won at Old Trafford, but in the coming weeks, the manager might start tweaking his team based on new arrivals. On Wednesday, there were concerns within the fanbase owing to reports stating Kai Havertz has suffered a knee injury, which may keep him out for a significant period on the sidelines.

However, later on the day, Arsenal agreed a move for Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, with the attacker set to undergo his medicals. Should the Gunners manage to complete the formalities and register before noon on Friday, Eze could be in the squad for Saturday. Either way, for now, Gabriel Martinelli is the likely starter on the left wing, which could change when the England international officially arrives.

Apart from Havertz, there are some doubts over the fitness of Ben White and Christian Norgaard, with the latter missing the Manchester United game. There are no serious concerns over the duo, although Arteta could potentially start Jurrien Timber at right-back while Riccardo Calafiori will start on the left.

Beyond that, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are expected to feature in Arsenal’s midfield. Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres will complete the frontline alongside Martinelli, and the Swede will hope to open his Premier League account in front of the home fans.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Gyokeres

Leeds United

Daniel Farke did oversee an injury to a key player in the first game as midfielder Ethan Ampadu was withdrawn, which was later diagnosed as an MCL issue. The Welsh international is now expected to be out until after the international break, and Ilia Gurev will take his place in the middle of the park.

Leeds United can also welcome Jaka Bijol back from his suspension, as he missed the Everton game owing to a sending off against Fiorentina in his last league game for Udinese. He will be in the squad but not expected to start ahead of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk.

The only other change by Farke might potentially come in the centre-forward role, as he could reward Lukas Nmecha with a start. However, Joel Piroe does offer a lot more than goals, and his style could be seen as beneficial in how Leeds United would love to play, so there is a chance he keeps his place.

The Leeds United bench could be stronger than in the first game as Farke could have new arrival Noah Okafor in his squad, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin might also feature there.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Perri; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Tanaka, Gruev, Stach; James, Piroe, Gnonto

Key Stats

• Arsenal have won their last six matches against Leeds United in all competitions.
• Arsenal are undefeated in 27 of their last 29 matches in the Premier League.
• Leeds United have lost their last seven Premier League matches played in London.
• Leeds United last beat Arsenal away from home in Highbury in 2003.
• Mikel Arteta has faced Leeds more often without losing than any other side as the Arsenal manager in all competitions (P8 W7 D1), winning all five at the Emirates against the Whites.

Player to Watch

Viktor Gyokeres

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The Swedish striker had a productive full debut leading the line for Arsenal at Old Trafford, but he came in for plenty of criticism afterwards for his lack of decisive actions in the final third. Given the relatively short period since his arrival, Gyokeres is yet to fully adjust to his new surroundings, and that may take a while.

That said, the home clash with Leeds United does provide him with a big enough opportunity to open his Premier League account in front of the fans. Scoring a goal here will alleviate the pressure off his shoulders, and given the injury to Kai Havertz, Arteta will want to see the Swede taking on more responsibilities ahead.

Prediction

Arsenal 2-0 Leeds United

Leeds United might come to the Emirates full of confidence following their performance against Everton, but the Gunners are a different kettle of fish compared to the Toffees. The prospect of facing the tightest defence in the division, coupled with defending against the attackers of Arsenal’s quality, might prove a bit too much for Farke’s newly-promoted side.

Arsenal will want to showcase their intent with a big win at the Emirates and give the fans more reasons to rejoice. Mikel Arteta has the players to unlock a progressive Leeds United side, and the Gunners are expected to win and keep a clean sheet to open their home account for the Premier League campaign. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 victory for Arteta and his charges.