Arsenal v Leeds Utd Match Thread

[Ellandback1]

Saturday 23rd August 5:30pm | Emirates


Leeds travel to the Emirates at the weekend for a Saturday early evening showdown with Premier League heavyweights Arsenal. Coming off an expected but somewhat unconvincing 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford to kick off their 2025-26 campaign, the Gunners are eager for a more decisive performance.

Leeds, meanwhile, also began their return to the top flight with a 1-0 home win against Everton, a result that marked a positive start to their season. Securing any points at the formidable Emirates would be considered monumental for Daniel Farke's side as they embark on their quest for Premier League survival. However, both camps arrive with their respective injury concerns.

Arsenal's midfield suffers a blow with Kai Havertz sidelined by a knee injury; the club's apparent search for a replacement suggests the issue is more serious than initially hoped. Long-term absentee Gabriel Jesus continues his rehabilitation from an ACL injury sustained in January, with no immediate return expected. Christian Norgaard, who missed the trip to Manchester with a knock, could make the matchday squad this weekend.





As for Leeds, Daniel Farke faces a few selection headaches. Defensive linchpin Ethan Ampadu out until after the international break with a knee injury picked up on Monday night. Longstaff and Gruev are Daniel Farke's options to come into the midfield, we could see both if Leeds aim for a more defensive approach on the road. Summer recruit Sebastiaan Bornauw's calf problem kept him on the bench against Everton, leaving his starting status for Saturday uncertain.

Latest signing Noah Okafor could play some part having had a full pre-season with AC Milan. Similarly, fellow newbie Dominic Calvert-Lewin, continues to build fitness after missing pre-season. Jaka Bijol, who missed the win against Everton due to suspension could edge Pascal Struijk out of the starting line-up. Similarly, Farke may decide on a back three of Rodon Struijk and Bijol with Ampadu missing.



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[Shando]

Is that right about Okafor failing his initial medical? I wonder how and if we get the details, although i doubt that will be said.
Nobody is going to go straight into the side, he's got loads to do in training to get them ready.
Can we not get Jesus and Havertz if they're injured?

[YorkshireSquare]

Is that right about Okafor failing his initial medical? I wonder how and if we get the details, although i doubt that will be said.
Nobody is going to go straight into the side, he's got loads to do in training to get them ready.
Can we not get Jesus and Havertz if they're injured?

Where have you heard that? He failed one at Leipzig in January.

[Shando]

Where have you heard that? He failed one at Leipzig in January.

It says it above ^

[YorkshireSquare]

It says it above ^

@Ellandback1 Where did you hear that?

[Ellandback1]

@Ellandback1 Where did you hear that?

I was told this by a reliable Leeds journalist.

I have not been told why he failed, but a specialist had to be called in to judge whether the reason he failed could effect the rest of his playing career - and the specialist gave the green light.

[YorkshireSquare]

I was told this by a reliable Leeds journalist.

I have not been told why he failed, but a specialist had to be called in to judge whether the reason he failed could effect the rest of his playing career - and the specialist gave the green light.

Wonder if that's why he was up at Thorpe Park.

[Ellandback1]

Wonder if that's why he was up at Thorpe Park.

Makes sense.

Thorpe Park Clinic is our purpose built modern facility based in Colton, Leeds. Patients access the service from across the whole of West Yorkshire to come to our facility.

"The clinic hosts a range of services with the aim to provide the very best clinical experience for the patient. The facility has a state of the art 3T Wide Bore MRI Scanner, X Ray and Ultrasound provision."

[White Riot]

If the Arse get Eze's signing completed before 12pm tomorrow then he will be available against us

That would be really bad timing

Better batten down the hatches lads

[YorkshireSquare]

If the Arse get Eze's signing completed before 12pm tomorrow then he will be available against us

That would be really bad timing

Better batten down the hatches lads

Grealish, Eze, why we worried about all these players we used to play against in the Championship?

[Pullhard]

If the Arse get Eze's signing completed before 12pm tomorrow then he will be available against us

That would be really bad timing

Better batten down the hatches lads

More likely to see him coming off the bench for the last 20 mins when Arsenal are 1-2 behind on Sat evening

[White Riot]

Grealish, Eze, why we worried about all these players we used to play against in the Championship?

aye

Grealish has had his progress stinted by grabbing the cash and going to Man Citeh, like someone else that we're more familiar with

Eze is on the rise and imo is the best English player by a mile and a half. Gonna have to work hard to keep him under the thumb on Saturday, if he plays of course.

But, tbh we want and need to be playing at this level and that involves testing yourself against the best. Better that than getting our flair players booted up in the air all day by the likes of Millwall, Preston and Cardiff hod carriers.

[White Riot]

More likely to see him coming off the bench for the last 20 mins when Arsenal are 1-2 behind on Sat evening

Aye, let's hope so

Odegaard's days are probably numbered once Eze takes the chef's hat

[Ellandback1]

I'd love to see us with a 5-3-2 or 3/5/2 formation with Rodon, Struijk and Bijol all playing

[Ellandback1]

Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu will be missing until at least after the upcoming international break after injuring the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee.

[Ellandback1]

-----------------------Perri----------------------
----------Rodon---Struijk---Bijol----------
Bogle------------------------Gudmunsson
-----Tanaka-----Stach-----Longstaff-----
-------------James--------Piroe--------------

[AcrossThePondAsh]

[andrewjohnsmith]

-----------------------Perri----------------------
----------Rodon---Struijk---Bijol----------
Bogle------------------------Gudmunsson
-----Tanaka-----Stach-----Longstaff-----
-------------James--------Piroe--------------

Don't think he'll switch away from the two wide men. 4-3-3 as per the last game or possibly a 5-2-3 if he brings in Bijoy for Ampadu

[AcrossThePondAsh]

Don't think he'll switch away from the two wide men. 4-3-3 as per the last game or possibly a 5-2-3 if he brings in Bijoy for Ampadu

Yeah, I’ve been wondering about a back five too. The logic’s there on paper—away at Arsenal, no Ampadu, and Bijol offering a bit more height and physical presence against a team that led the league in set-piece goals last season. Structurally, you could see the argument for bringing in an extra centre-back just to keep us a bit more compact and give us a better chance on dead balls, both ways.

But it would be a bold move considering how little we’ve actually used that setup under Farke. First away match of the season, brand-newish CB pairing, and a system we haven’t leaned on? Feels like a big shift to roll out now, especially against a team that will punish any lack of cohesion.

Still, it’s one of the things I’m most interested to see this weekend. Arsenal away is such a different test from Everton at home, and how Farke sets us up—whether he sticks with the same shape or adjusts for opponent and personnel—should give us some real insight into his flexibility, how much he trusts the squad’s tactical range at this point, and maybe even how we’re likely to approach the rest of the season in these bigger fixtures.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Yeah, I’ve been wondering about a back five too. The logic’s there on paper—away at Arsenal, no Ampadu, and Bijol offering a bit more height and physical presence against a team that led the league in set-piece goals last season. Structurally, you could see the argument for bringing in an extra centre-back just to keep us a bit more compact and give us a better chance on dead balls, both ways.

But it would be a bold move considering how little we’ve actually used that setup under Farke. First away match of the season, brand-newish CB pairing, and a system we haven’t leaned on? Feels like a big shift to roll out now, especially against a team that will punish any lack of cohesion.

Still, it’s one of the things I’m most interested to see this weekend. Arsenal away is such a different test from Everton at home, and how Farke sets us up—whether he sticks with the same shape or adjusts for opponent and personnel—should give us some real insight into his flexibility, how much he trusts the squad’s tactical range at this point, and maybe even how we’re likely to approach the rest of the season in these bigger fixtures.

Wouldn't be such a stretch for Bijol to replace Ampadu in midfield though. I think it will be Gruev. But might be a better way to integrate Bijol for his first game.

As for the 2 wide men I just see that as our best option. Farke said we need to take the game to them. If we're going to be on the back foot, pinging it long to James and Gnonto will probably be our best option