Preview: Leeds United v Arsenal | Pre-Match Report | News

We’ll look to restore our seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday (3 p.m. UK) when we travel to in-form Leeds United.

The Whites have been one of our favorite opponents over the last few decades and we are unbeaten in the last 15 meetings in all competitions, winning the last six – our longest run against the Yorkshiremen. It’s been 25 years since we last tasted defeat at Elland Road – but the current side have thrived there this season.

Daniel Farke’s side have only tasted defeat twice at home, and no team has suffered fewer defeats since the start of December than last season’s Championship champions. But as we play before our title rivals take the field on Sunday, the opportunity is there to increase our lead and the pressure on the chasing pack.

The wonderful winter of white people

Heading into December, Leeds were in the relegation zone with three wins under their belt, and Farke was reportedly on the verge of losing his job. However, a change in formation has led to a change in fortunes, and the Whites go into this encounter having lost just one of their last 10 league matches, conceding just 13 goals in that period.

A 3-1 win over Chelsea started the run, and they also beat Crystal Palace and Fulham at home. Two draws were achieved against Liverpool last month, while Manchester United also took just one point at Elland Road, where Leeds are unbeaten in their last five games.

Their only defeat in the last two months came when they conceded twice in injury time at Newcastle United to suffer a 4-3 defeat, but they overcame that disappointment to remain unbeaten in the five matches since. On Monday night, they drew 1-1 at Everton, the fifth stalemate in eight matches that keeps them clear of the drop zone.

What leaders say

Arteta: “When you lose a game you have a lot of feelings because the group of players is very competitive and looking for excellence, and when you don’t achieve it you ask yourself questions and we did that. But I think my role is to bring optimism and reality of where we are.

“Our club has a very long history and to find a moment when, in February, we will be in the position we are in is very difficult to find. So we are doing so many things so well, and let’s mainly focus on that. Of course we want to improve, we want to be better in all areas, but with that feeling of self-belief and the belief that we are on the right path.” – every word from Mikel’s pre-match press conference

Farke: “If you have a chance of gaining points against teams who are in the top positions, then go for it. We will face the best team in Europe so far. I take no encouragement and I am far from underestimating the strength of Arsenal or thinking that at the moment they are not in the best possible position.

“I think they will be back at their best this weekend, but that doesn’t mean we have to back down or collapse. Even though Arsenal are at their best, we want to make sure we are competitive.”

Team News

After being rested for our midweek win over Kairat Almaty, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba are available again, meaning we have a full squad to choose from, bar Max Dowman’s ankle injury.

Striker Lucas Nmecha injured his hamstring during last weekend’s warm-up and is out, as is Jaka Bijol, who has a similar ailment. His compatriot Gabriel Gudmundsson is nursing a groin strain, while Jack Harrison joined Fiorentina on loan last week.

There is some good news for Farke though as Daniel James is back in training after being sidelined since late November due to his own hamstring problem.

Talking about tactics

Adrien Clarke: Since switching from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2 at half-time against Manchester City in late November, Leeds have shown remarkable improvement. The back three, with defensive players used as full-backs, provide a solid foundation, and their organization since the reshuffle has been excellent.

Leeds are a big, strong and aggressive team who like to use their physicality to disrupt the flow of their opponents. Farke’s men rank fourth for duels won, interceptions and tackles, and only five top teams regain possession more often in the final third.

Leeds have scored 12 times from corners or free kicks, which is just behind us. This is because Anton Stach consistently provides excellent deliveries. He is their Declan Rice figure, creating 20 chances from set pieces in 2025/26; a total which is just behind Bruno Fernandes.

Their star man is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has already scored nine goals. He is brilliant in the air so we need to work hard to stop crosses coming into the box, while any long balls headed towards the leader will need to be defended well as his ability to throw the ball or bring it down to support runners is a big asset.

Facts and statistics

We have won our last six league matches against Leeds by an aggregate score of 20-5. This is our longest winning streak against White.

We scored 4+ goals in eight different Premier League games against Leeds, beating them 5-0 in the reverse fixture in August. It was only against Everton (12) that we did more in the competition.

Leeds have never won a Premier League home game against the team starting the day top of the table in 14 attempts, including all three against us.

The Whites are unbeaten in their last five Premier League home matches, the last of which was a longer run during the same top-flight campaign between March and May 2021.

Bukayo Saka has scored in three of his last four Premier League starts against Leeds, including in each of the last two.

Gabriel Martinelli has contributed to four goals in his four league matches against the Elland Road side (2 goals, 2 assists), scoring a brace in December 2021.

Gabriel Jesus has scored three times in his last three league matches against Leeds.

Match officials

Stuart Attwell was named for this match, his third Gunners game of the season following our 1-1 draw against Manchester City and penalty shootout victory over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup. We have to go back to March 2023 for the last time we won in 90 minutes under his leadership, when we beat the Eagles 4-1 in N5

The Warwickshire official has refereed Leeds once this season, a 2-1 home success against West Ham United. No regularly used official averages more cards per game than Attwell’s 4.8, while he has awarded five penalties in 14 matches.

Arbitrator: Stuart Attwell
Assistants: Constantin Hatzidakis, Craig Taylor
Fourth official: Gavin Ward
VAR: Jared Gillett
VAR Assistant: Steve Meredith

Recent visits to Elland Road

The last time we visited Leeds was October 2022, when we missed out on a 1-0 win thanks to a fine goal from Bukayo Saka. However, we needed a missed penalty from Patrick Bamford and VAR overturning another White penalty as well as a red card from Gabriel in added time to come away with the points.

The previous season we were 4-1 winners a week before Christmas thanks to a brace from Gabriel Martinelli and strikes from Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, while we were held to a goalless draw on our first visit after Leeds’ initial promotion to the Premier League after a 16-year absence.

Live coverage

With the game not being shown live in the UK, be sure to tune into Live From N5 just before kick-off to hear live commentary provided by Dan Roebuck and Adrian Clarke, who will guide you through the action.

You can also discover which broadcasters show the action live wherever you are in the world.