Arsenal could field an unchanged side for the home clash with Leeds United, with Mikel Arteta looking for continuity and three solid points.
There is plenty of optimism in the Arsenal camp ahead of the Leeds United clash at the Emirates. The biggest reason for it would be Mikel Arteta signing a new deal at the club, and the manager knows the importance of taking three points against Jesse Marsch’s side.
There are no new problems with injuries and fitness in the squad, with Arteta able to call upon his best players. While there is scope for changes in the team, the manager is unlikely to make any alterations to the side that won away at West Ham United last weekend.
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Ben White missed that game with a tight hamstring, and Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the defender could be back in contention if he trains. The Arsenal boss said, “Ben White is still in contention so he needs to train tomorrow to make sure that he’s available to play and for the rest, there’s no news, everybody should be okay.”
Arteta will likely take a cautious approach and go with the same backline from the last game. After a Man-of-the-Match performance against West Ham, Holding will keep his place at the heart of the Arsenal defence and partner Gabriel Magalhaes. Nuno Tavares and Takehiro Tomiyasu should keep their spots on either flank.
Arteta could use Ben White as a late option from the bench, much like a role Holding has assumed this season. In the scenario of Arsenal leading the game halfway through the second period, White could come in as a substitute and shore up the backline to protect the advantage.
Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny will continue in central midfield, with Martin Odegaard assuming the advanced role in the attack. Bukayo Saka will keep his place on the right-hand side of the Arsenal attack.
Arteta may have pondered bringing Emile Smith Rowe back into the fold, but Gabriel Martinelli offers more to disturb the Leeds United defence than the English international. The Brazilian should keep his place on the left flank, while Eddie Nketiah will continue to lead the line at the expense of Alexandre Lacazette.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tavares; Elneny, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah
