Leeds United vs Arsenal

Premier League pacesetters Arsenal take a trip to Elland Road to take on bottom-half Leeds United in a potentially history-defining fixture.

These are uncertain times for Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch after his side won none of their last five Premier League matches (D2, L3), including a 2-1 defeat at fellow bottom-half strugglers Crystal Palace in the previous round. A lack of consistency saw Marsch’s team alternate between drawing and losing across those five fixtures, which is why they languish only two points above the drop zone. Back to Elland Road, where they’ve not lost any of their four league games this season (W2, D2), the ‘Whites’ will feel enthusiastic about their bid to get back to winning ways. However, Arsenal’s visit to Yorkshire may dampen Leeds’ spirits, considering the hosts are winless in their last five Premier League H2Hs (D2, L3), with each of those three losses yielding the same 4-1 scoreline.

On the other hand, high-flying Arsenal eked out a 1-0 triumph at Bodo/Glimt in midweek Europa League action to solidify the top spot in Group A while taking their winning streak in all competitions to six matches. It’s been a dream Premier League start for the ‘Gunners,’ who are seeking their first top-four finish since 2015/16, as they’ve won eight of their opening nine league games (L1) and are on the cusp of making history. You’d have to go back to 1903/04 for the last time Arsenal won nine of their first ten matches of a new league campaign, highlighting Mikel Arteta’s impressive work in North London. Arteta has based his side’s stellar away league start (W3, L1) on a rock-solid backline that preserved a clean sheet in all three of those victories.