Newcastle United v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg
Chris Sutton is present during the Carabao Cup Semi-Final First Leg match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James's Park in Newcastle, on January 13, 2026. (Photo by Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
After the long international break, Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side face what will arguably be their toughest test of the entire season, a trip to the Emirates to face reigning champions Arsenal.
Joe Rodon and Dan James will definitely be unavailable for the game on Saturday. Farke confirmed this in his press conference, whilst Harry Wilson and Jean-Matteo Bahoya could both potentially be involved.
In what was just our second game back in the Premier League last season, United were thrashed by Arsenal when they made the trip down to London.
However, a BBC pundit has offered Arsenal a warning when it comes to their clash against Leeds. He then went on to predict the result.
Chris Sutton believes Leeds will give Arsenal a ‘stern test’
In our 5-0 defeat at the Emirates last August, the makeup of our starting XI was very different.
We lined up in a 4-3-3. Willy Gnonto and James were our wingers. Joel Piroe led the line, and Lucas Perri was in goal.
Looking back, we never stood a chance!
Whilst it’s not a guarantee that we’ll get anything from the game on Saturday, BBC pundit Chris Sutton believes it will be a much more competitive game this time around.
“Brighton were brilliant when they beat Arsenal before the international break. The Seagulls really harried and hassled the champions and went toe-to-toe with them.
“I don’t think Leeds will go about things the same way, but they will still provide a stern test,” Sutton said in his Premier League predictions column for BBC Sport.
“Daniel Farke’s side are really solid but also carry a big threat too. They are a very different proposition to the side Arsenal thumped 5-0 at Emirates Stadium at the start of last season.
“So, this game will tell us a lot about where Arsenal are and how they have recovered from that Brighton defeat.
“I’d still back the Gunners to find a way to win. Especially because they are at home, but it will be a lot closer than last time. Leeds don’t concede goals as freely any more.”
Sutton then went on to predict a 2-0 win for Arsenal.
Ethan Ampadu was a major miss last time we played at the Emirates
We probably shouldn’t, but as a fanbase, I think we all just think it’s a given that Ethan Ampadu will play every minute of every game at a 7/10 rating or higher. I know I certainly do!
However, at the Emirates last season, that was one of the three games he Premier League games he missed. And it certainly showed.
Instead of Ampadu, Ilia Gruev came into the midfield alongside Anton Stach and Ao Tanaka, and it looked like the Bulgarian was miles away from being able to play at the base of the midfield by himself against a team like Arsenal.
I’m not saying we would’ve won, or even drawn, with Ampadu playing.
But there is a reason Farke always refers to him as our best and most important player. Anytime he doesn’t play, we look like a shell of our former selves.
Unfortunately for us, Ampadu played every minute of Wales’ four Nations League fixtures over the international break, so he wasn’t able to get any rest.
And we certainly can’t rest the 26-year-old on Saturday, so not even a week after playing for his country, we need Ampadu to boss the midfield against the reigning Premier League champions.
It’s certainly not an easy task. But if any of our players are capable of doing this, it’s our captain. If we want to make sure Chris Sutton’s prediction ages poorly, we need the Welshman to perform.