Prediction: Arsenal vs Leeds

Verdict: Total goals under 2.5

Best odds: 27/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Arsenal welcome newly-promoted Leeds United to the Emirates on Saturday evening for their first home fixture of the new Premier League season, with or without Eberechi Eze available to dictate play.

Both managers head into the clash buoyed by narrow opening-day wins: Mikel Arteta̢۪s side secured a smash-and-grab 1-0 triumph at Manchester United, while Daniel Farke̢۪s men earned a similarly tight victory over Everton, courtesy of a controversial handball decision.

Arsenal

Where Arsenal lacked fluency in open play, their strength from set pieces once again proved decisive â€" a theme carried over from last season and one that came to the fore at Old Trafford on the Premier League’s opening weekend.

Riccardo Calafiori punished shaky goalkeeping from Manchester United̢۪s stand-in Altay Bayindir to clinch victory, though Arsenal fans will recognise their side rode their luck, as a strengthened United frontline featuring Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha pushed hard throughout.

Yet, with the hosts profligate in front of goal and David Raya producing trademark saves, the Gunners secured a sixth Premier League away win over Man United, extending their unbeaten league run against the traditional ‘Big Six’ to 22 matches.

Continuing their form from 2024-25, last season̢۪s runners-up now boast three successive league wins, though all have been by a single-goal margin; notably, their most recent home league victory by more than one goal dates back over six months to a 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City.

Still, even a narrow success on Saturday could be historic: Arsenal are unbeaten in 42 consecutive Premier League home encounters with promoted clubs, leaving them one shy of Chelsea̢۪s all-time record between 2001 and 2015.

Team News

Just hours after news broke of Kai Havertz picking up a fresh knee injury of unknown severity, Arsenal landed an off-field victory over arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur by swooping in to seal a deal for Crystal Palace̢۪s Eberechi Eze. Terms have been agreed, though the England international is unlikely to debut this weekend, leaving Gabriel Martinelli secure on the left flank.

Ben White and Christian Norgaard both require late fitness checks after knocks â€" with the latter also absent at Old Trafford â€" while Gabriel Jesus (ACL) remains sidelined for several more months.

Leeds United

Calafiori’s decisive strike for Arsenal was not without debate, with some arguing William Saliba obstructed Altay Bayindir in the buildup â€" just one of several officiating calls under the spotlight on the opening weekend.

Controversy also marred Leeds̢۪ Premier League return at home to Everton, where Lukas Nmecha calmly converted from the spot after James Tarkowski was penalised for handling a goal-bound effort. While the defender̢۪s arm was tucked in, his apparent lean toward the ball swayed the referee̢۪s decision.

Regardless, the numbers backed Leeds̢۪ superiority against their lacklustre visitors, as the Whites ended a two-year wait for a top-flight victory. A seismic upset in North London would see them win their opening two Premier League fixtures of a season for the first time since 2002, but history is not in their favour; they have lost seven straight league games in London.

Arsenal, meanwhile, hold a six-match winning streak over Leeds in all competitions and are unbeaten in their last 14 meetings with the Yorkshire club, whose most recent triumph in this fixture came back in 2003 at Highbury.

Team News

Ethan Ampadu̢۪s withdrawal against Everton was later confirmed as an MCL injury, sidelining him until after the international break. Ilia Gruev is expected to step in at the base of midfield, while the rest of Farke̢۪s squad is in good shape: Jaka Bijol returns from suspension and Sebastiaan Bornauw, back from a calf problem, featured on the bench last time out.

Meanwhile, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was denied a reunion with his former side but now faces extra competition from new arrival Noah Okafor, who could be considered for his debut following his switch from AC Milan.

Conclusion

One of the reasons Arsenal didn’t score from open play against Manchester United was that the final pass let them down far too often. They will have worked on that since, and breaking through the lines of the newly promoted visitors on Saturday should prove doable.

Two goals for the home side should do it.

Verdict: Total goals under 2.5

Best odds: 27/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

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