Arsenal FC
Leeds United
Leeds United
Arsenal have slipped below this weekend’s opponents Leeds and face tough battle to return to top half
Arsenal to win 2-1
Arsenal are in danger of going back to square one after losing their last two league games, slipping into the bottom half of the table in the process.
Having seemingly risen from their dreadful first half of the season, losing eight of their first 14 games, The Gunners then won five of their next six to provide supporters with some hope that they may be able to salvage something.
They’ve taken a big step backwards lately, however, with defeats to Wolves and Aston Villa leaving them seeking their first win in four.
Leeds are a fully old team.
They sit bang in the middle of the table, with as many wins as they’ve had defeats, having scored exactly the same number of goals as they’ve conceded. As we’ve seen frequently this season, Leeds can either be brilliant or pretty awful, with very little in between.
Either way, there should be goals for both sides here.
Form Guide (all comps): LWDLL
Reasons to be cheerful:
David Luiz and Bernd Leno return from suspension
Leeds’ shaky defence will bring cause for optimism
Reasons to be fearful:
Thomas Partey and Kieran Trippier likely to miss out through injury
Don’t look capable of mounting a top six challenge this season
Arsenal’s recent form appears to be a problem rather than just a blip, with the side losing their last two on the bounce.
Just as The Gunners appeared to be making strides back towards the top end of the table, their form has nosedived and face being without two key players here.
While David Luiz and Bernd Leno will return after suspension, Thomas Partey and Kieran Trippier, two of Arsenal’s best performers this season, are likely to be missing through injury.
Their 0-0 draw with Leeds earlier in the season was followed by four defeats from their next five, something Mikel Arteta will be keen to avoid repeating.
Here, they must take advantage of a Leeds defence which rarely looks secure.
Star Man – Nicolas Pepe
Appears to be Arsenal’s best route to goal at the moment, having scored two in his last four appearances.
Form Guide (all comps): LWWLW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Three wins from previous five has taken them into top half
Striker Patrick Bamford reached 100 career goals recently
Reasons to be fearful:
Just one clean sheet from last six
Arsenal will be determined to improve results
Patrick Bamford scored his 12 goal of the season, and the 100th of his career, in Leeds’ win over Crystal Palace last weekend.
The England striker has led his side brilliantly this campaign, providing the firepower to offset their leaky defence which has conceded more than 17 other teams in the league.
The Yorkshire club will be sensing another opportunity to grab three points here, against an Arsenal side who have reverted to previous poor form.
Understandably, there needs to be an element of caution when talking up Leeds, having not won more than two consecutive league games all season. This inconsistency has seen them yoyo between the top and bottom half with frustrating regularity.
Here, they have a huge chance to build some momentum going into the final section of the season.
Star Man – Patrick Bamford
Will be determined to score his first goal against Arsenal, but is in fantastic form right now.
We should see an end-to-end game with plenty of chances
Both sides to score
Arsenal slight favourites to end poor form
Understandably, it is hard to pick a favourite between two sides who bounce back and forth between winning and losing so quickly.
Arsenal have two key players missing, but are at home where they’ve experienced some positive results lately, such as a 3-0 win over Newcastle and a point against Manchester United.
Leeds will give everything, regardless of form, but could be made to pay for that leaky defence of theirs.
Arsenal to win 2-1
