Leeds United vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta takes Arsenal to Elland Road on Sunday night in a game which will evoke memories, and more than likely produce a few goals.
Premier League: Leeds United vs Arsenal is the type of fixture the Yorkshire fans have been hoping to see ever since the arrival of head coach Marcelo Bielsa at their proud old club. The two sides have locked horns at the summit of English football many times in the past, but they both arrive on the back of heavy defeats and so will be keen to put things right.
Talking Points
So far so good for Leeds
Fans at Elland Road will be fairly happy with the way things have been going in their first season back in the top flight since 2004. The Whites have won plaudits for their attacking play and fighting spirit from the very first match when they pushed champions Liverpool all the way, eventually losing 4-3, and that set the tone for the next few games. Leeds have accumulated ten points so far, a solid start, and they have a seven point cushion between them and the drop zone while they sit level on points with Manchester United and just two behind Manchester City in tenth place.
Striker Patrick Bamford has answered his critics with seven goals from his first eight games, including a brilliant second half hat-trick in a 3-0 victory away to an in-form Aston Villa. In his previous top flight stints at Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Norwich City Bamford never really had a chance, limited to substitute appearances when his team was chasing a game. But this time at Leeds, where his head coach has faith in him, he has grasped his opportunity with both hands.
Another of Leeds’ Championship winning team to thrive is 24 year old Kalvin Phillips who has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water. Phillips is Leeds through and through, making 170 appearances for the club since his debut in 2015, and this season he has been recognised by England head coach Gareth Southgate, who has handed him four caps. A deep lying midfielder, Phillips is a key player, particularly against attacking teams like Arsenal.
The Leeds United vs Arsenal betting odds don’t have much between the two sides and that shows just how far Leeds have come in such a short space of time.
Gunners are hit and miss
Like his opposite number, Mikel Arteta has already brought success to his team quickly. In less than a year in charge he has brought FA Cup and Community Shield success to Arsenal. Many neutrals expected his side to kick on this year, having shored up the back with the signing of Brazilian defender Gabriel and strengthened midfield with the deadline day capture of Thomas Partey.
But Arteta’s side has been far from consistent, winning four and losing four, and if they slip up against Leeds then their hosts will leapfrog them in mid table.
A 3-0 home defeat to Aston Villa just before the break came right out of the blue for the Gunners, who had just won three games on the bounce, two Europa League ties and an impressive 1-0 victory away at Manchester United, when Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang scored a second half penalty to grab the points. They will carry an attacking threat to the Leeds defence with Alexandre Lacazette likely to start up front alongside Aubameyang, and the lively Bukayo Saka raiding down the wing. Saka won a penalty for England against Ireland and the Leeds defenders will need to keep their wits about them.
But if they can keep it tight at the back, Leeds can get at Arsenal who have a habit of conceding early, letting in first half goals in five Premier League games already.
History
Both Leeds and Arsenal have dominated English football in the past, the Yorkshire side winning three league championships while Arsenal have won 13.
The head to head Leeds United vs Arsenal results favour the Gunners who have won 16 of the 27 meetings in the Premier League era, while Leeds have won seven and there have been four draws. The last time the two teams met in the Premier League Arsenal won 5-0 at Highbury and 4-1 at Elland Road as they went through the entire season unbeaten.
Further back in history the two sides contested a famous FA Cup final in 1972, when a second half goal from Allan Clarke gave Leeds the trophy.
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