Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday with a trip to Leeds United following the international break.
Three points could move us as high as seventh in the table at the end of the weekend. The hosts on Sunday are down in 15th following back-to-back 1-4 losses.
We’ll be looking to bounce back from our dismal 0-3 loss at home to Aston Villa before the break. Coming out of the international break, the Gunners are slightly better than 6/5 favourites to win away at Elland Road on Saturday
Here’s the team I think Mikel Arteta will send out at Elland Road:
Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno
Bernd Leno has little competition for the number one spot and can be in for a busy Sunday afternoon against the likes of Patrick Bamford, Helder Costa and Jack Harrison. Marcelo Bielsa’s side are also good at attacking set pieces.
Defence: David Luiz, Gabriel, Kieran Tierney
Despite a number of injuries in defence, the boss has his preferred back three available for this one. They’ve not had many opportunities to gel this season, but David Luiz will play the right centre-back role and fellow Brazilian Gabriel in the middle.
Midfield: Hector Bellerin, Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka
Thomas Partey is set to miss out again with a thigh injury and Mohamed Elneny is self-isolating, so Dani Ceballos and Granit Xhaka should start by default in our midfield four. Hector Bellerin and Bukayo Saka are available to start as the wing backs.
Attack: Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Leeds have shipped a lot of goals recently and Marcelo Bielsa continues to stand by his philosophy of attractive football. This should allow Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to get back to his goalscoring ways, and Alexandre Lacazette see a number of chances in the central striker role. Nicolas Pepe’s pace down the right wing should be very useful no the counter-attack.
Here’s our team on paper:
