Leeds United will contend against 15-year-long Premier League record vs Arsenal
Leeds United will deny Arsenal the chance of equalling a Premier League record if they can emerge victorious on Saturday.
Daniel Farke’s side will also be playing against the supercomputer, which has predicted Arsenal to win the Premier League clash.
Noah Okafor could make his Leeds debut at The Emirates Stadium after the Switzerland international’s arrival was confirmed on Thursday, 21 August.
And Dominic Calvert-Lewin could start up front for the Whites, with the striker looking to kick-start his Premier League career again after leaving Everton.
Arsenal hold 42 game-long record against promoted sides
Arsenal will present a tall order for Leeds on Saturday, after finishing second in the Premier League last season.
The Gunners have also been bolstered by the signings of several new players this summer, including Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi.
But Farke will hope to set up his side to frustrate Mikel Arteta’s men, who struggled at times last season against deep-set defences.
| Leeds (vs Everton) | Team stats on opening day | Arsenal (vs Manchester United) |
| 21 | Shots | 9 |
| 2.13 | Expected goals | 1.31 |
| 54% | Possession | 39% |
| 7 | Corners | 4 |
Arsenal do have history on their side, however, and will equal a Premier League record on Saturday if they can avoid defeat.
The North London club have not lost against a newly-promoted side at home in nearly 15 years, with Newcastle United being the last team to complete the feat in November 2010.
Since then, Arsenal are 42 games unbeaten against Premier League promotees at The Emirates Stadium, and one game away from equalling Chelsea’s record of 43 – set between 2001 and 2015.
How will Daniel Farke set up Leeds to get at Arsenal?
Leeds will be aware that they may have to weather a storm to emerge victorious against Arsenal.
The Gunners will press high and look to exert control over their visitors, hoping to encourage mistakes in the back line.
But Arteta’s side does have vulnerabilities. Against Manchester United, Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White started and looked to push on regularly.
Team news:
- Kai Havertz will be unavailable for Arsenal, with a doubt over Christian Norgaard’s participation.
- Jaka Bijol is available after serving his suspension for a red card picked up for Udinese.
That left space, and Ruben Amorim’s side exploited it successfully, ultimately unfortunate to come away without anything to show for it.
The pace of Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto could allow Leeds to deploy a similar game plan, but when the chances come, and they will come, they must be clinical.
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