Arsenal were due to fly to Leeds on Friday ahead of their Premier League clash at Elland Road, but were forced to change their plans
Tom Canton Arsenal Reporter and Mark Wakefield
18:17, 30 Jan 2026Updated 18:33, 30 Jan 2026
Elland Road
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Leeds United are scheduled to face Arsenal at Elland Road on Saturday(Image: Malcolm Bryce/Leeds United via Getty Images)
Arsenal's scheduled flight to Leeds on Friday ahead of their Premier League fixture at Elland Road did not take place due to heavy fog. United are scheduled to face the Gunners on Saturday afternoon in the top flight, but their opponents' travel plans have been disrupted less than 24 hours ahead of kick-off.
Reports had emerged on social media suggesting the aircraft carrying the Arsenal squad to Yorkshire had turned back mid-flight, but this is understood to be incorrect, reports football.london. With dense fog affecting flights, the club instead decided to look at alternative transport options ahead of Saturday's 3pm kick-off.
This marks Arsenal's first visit to Elland Road since 2022. A solitary Bukayo Saka strike proved sufficient to claim all three points against Leeds, with Patrick Bamford missing a penalty.
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More than three years later, Arsenal travel to Leeds seeking to rediscover their Premier League rhythm. Following last weekend's defeat to Manchester United, their advantage at the summit has been cut to merely four points.
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Leeds are battling at the other end of the Premier League table, with Daniel Farke's side currently in 16th place in the table and six points ahead of the relegation zone.
Leeds trail only Arsenal and Chelsea for goals scored from set-pieces this campaign, and assuming the fog doesn't descend on Elland Road on Saturday, Arteta has already outlined a strategy to counter the threat
“Well, first of all, understanding what they do,” Arteta said. “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 happening.”
The Arsenal boss also confirmed that both William Saliba and Jurrien Timber were set to feature in the squad, having recovered from minor fitness concerns that kept them out of the match against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League in midweek.
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