Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is weighing up changes to his attacking setup as the Gunners prepare for their first home fixture of the Premier League season against newly promoted Leeds United this weekend.
The North London side opened their 2025/26 campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, secured by Riccardo Calafiori’s 13th-minute header after a mistake from United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. Despite the victory, Arsenal’s attacking fluency came under scrutiny, with new striker Viktor Gyokeres enduring a quiet debut before being replaced by Kai Havertz in the second half.
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Arteta’s response may come in the form of tactical tweaks. During Wednesday’s open training session at the Emirates Stadium, new signing Noni Madueke was trialed on the right wing, with Bukayo Saka surprisingly shifted to the left. The pair later reverted to their natural positions, but the experiment highlighted Arteta’s willingness to explore new dynamics within his forward line.
🚨In the open training session at the Emirates Stadium this morning, Noni Madueke was at right wing while Bukayo Saka was on the left.
[@TikiTakaConnor] pic.twitter.com/wenZA1PjPl
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) August 20, 2025
Madueke, a summer arrival, has been quick to adapt and could inject pace and directness into Arsenal’s attack, while Saka’s trial on the left suggests Arteta may be looking at ways to exploit specific matchups. The development also places added pressure on Gabriel Martinelli, whose inconsistency on the left flank has left his spot vulnerable to competition from Madueke and Leandro Trossard.
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With Leeds showing resilience under their current manager, Saturday’s encounter at the Emirates is shaping up as a key early test for Arsenal’s attacking options. Arteta, who praised his side’s resilience after the United win, appears intent on maintaining tactical flexibility as the Gunners push to establish themselves in the title race.
Barring a few minor absences in training, Arsenal head into the clash with a near fully fit squad and several attacking options at Arteta’s disposal, keeping both his players and the opposition guessing.
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