After the international break, the Premier League returns on Saturday with everything still
to play for. Arsenal and Leeds meet at the Emirates in one of the 3pm kick-offs, in a game
that could have a huge impact on both ends of the table.
The league leaders will be wanting to return to league action with a win to keep their lead at
the top of the table. Arsenal go into the weekend eight points clear of Manchester City in
second – albeit having played a game more than the Citizens. With City hosting Liverpool in
a massive clash in Saturday’s early kick-off, Arsenal’s lead at the top could be down to five
points before the Gunners’ game gets underway if Pep Guardiola’s side pick up three points
earlier on. Alternatively, a City defeat could present Mikel Arteta’s men with a chance of
going 11 points clear with a win over Leeds.
The North London outfit have been in inspired form in the Premier League, winning their
last six games on the bounce. Last time out, Arsenal comfortably saw off a managerless
Crystal Palace at the Emirates in 4-1 win. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and
Granit Xhaka put the Gunners three in front, before a late Saka strike confirmed the points
following Jeffrey Schlupp’s second-half consolation for the Eagles.
It’s now 12 goals and ten assists for Saka in the league this season, with the England winger
continuing his brilliant form across the international break. The 21-year-old scored a
wonderful goal as well as setting up Harry Kane in the Three Lions’ 2-0 win over Ukraine last
time out.
Leeds will also be in need of those all-important threep points, being one of those teams
embroiled in an extremely tight relegation scrap. Just four points separate rock-bottom
Southampton with 12 th -placed Crystal Palace, as those in-between battle to keep their place
in the top tier. The Yorkshire outfit are in 14 th place, two points above the bottom three.
With so many teams around them, just a couple of points away, the league positions could
change dramatically depending on results over the weekend.
Javi Gracia’s side have been in decent league form since the Spaniard took over following
Jesse March’s dismissal in February. In the four league games Gracia has taken charge of;
Leeds have been narrowly beaten away to Chelsea, drew at home to Brighton, and picked
up two big wins against Southampton and Wolves. The latter came in their last outing, an
enthralling 4-2 win over the Midlands outfit at Molineux.
