Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in a circular insert.
Leeds United are back in action at Elland Road on Saturday, taking on the Premier League leaders, Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta was handed a major selection boost ahead of his side’s trip to West Yorkshire, with Kai Havertz coming through their midweek Champions League game against Kairat unscathed.
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Former Arsenal player Paul Merson recently had his say on the upcoming game, claiming Arsenal’s trip to Elland Road is the Gunners’ biggest game of the season so far.
Daniel Farke and Co. will be aware of the challenge that awaits them at the weekend and even more so when they consider the result of the reverse fixture back in August, where Arsenal ran out 5-0 winners, with Arteta hoping they can replicate this success once more.
‘First of all…’ – Mikel Arteta dissects Leeds’ set-piece threat ahead of Elland Road encounter
Farke has completley transformed Leeds since they visited the Emirates back in August, where the German fielded a starting XI including the likes of Willy Gnonto, Joel Piroe and Dan James.
Fast forward just a few months, and the more physical, set-piece-reliant style of play means none of the three aforementioned players are likely to play a significant number of minutes from now until the end of the season as the Whites attempt to avoid the drop.
Speaking at his press conference before the game, Arteta spoke about how he plans to deal with this new-look United and their set-piece threat.
“First of all, (it’s about) understanding what they do. Conceding very little, that’s the best way for sure, and if we do concede, it’s just to defend with your lives and good organisation to try to prevent that from happening.”
With Leeds’ possession expected to be limited against Arsenal, it would be wise of Farke to ensure that set-pieces become Leeds’ biggest threat going into the game.
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Data suggests Leeds also need to be aware of Arsenal’s set-piece threat
By this point, Arsenal’s threat from set-pieces under Arteta is infamous, and Leeds failed spectacularly at coping with them last time out, as Arsenal scored two goals from corners.
Unsurprisingly, the data confirms that Arsenal are the joint most dominant team in the Premier League so far this season when it comes to scoring from set-pieces.
Premier League Set-Piece Goals This Season
Team Set-Piece Goals
Arsenal 16
Chelsea 16
Leeds United 15
Newcastle United 15
Bournemouth 14
However, if Leeds can somehow deal with this threat, their chances of escaping with at least a point go up dramatically, with Arsenal struggling to create chances in open play as of late.
In their last three Premier League outings, Arsenal themselves have only scored one goal, with the other goal credited to them going down as an own goal.
Considering this and the mounting pressure of the title race, it could be a perfect time for Leeds to cause yet another upset at Elland Road this season.
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