Arsenal host Leeds United on Saturday evening.placeholder image
Arsenal host Leeds United on Saturday evening. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Daniel Farke could deploy a new Leeds United recruit against Arsenal this weekend.
Arsenal host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening and the visitors could hand a debut to Serie A winner Noah Okafor with the forward set to join the Yorkshire outfit in a head-turning coup.
Both the Gunners and the Whites tasted victory over the opening weekend of Premier League action. Mikel Arteta’s men took three points from Manchester United with a 1-0 win while Daniel Farke’s side squeezed past Everton by the same scoreline thanks to a late Lukas Nmecha penalty.
Arsenal and Leeds United haven’t faced one another since the 2022/23 campaign, when the Gunners won both fixtures. However, the newly promoted side are set to be buoyed by a new signing, as well as their win over Everton.
Leeds United edge close to Serie A coup
Leeds United had been linked with a move for AC Milan star Noah Okafor, who spent the back end of last season on loan at Napoli and got his hands on the Serie A title. In his latest update, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the £17 million move will be finalised and the player signed on in time to face Arsenal.
Taking to social media platform X, Romano wrote: “EXCL: Noah Okafor, on his way to England as he signs in as new Leeds player later today! 4 year contract plus option to extend, fee around €20m to AC Milan.”
Leeds United have already strengthened their forward options with the arrivals of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha, but both of those additions came as free agents. Significant fees have been spent in midfield and defence, but not in attack so far.
Okafor could be handed debut against Arsenal
Okafor has made a total of 54 appearances for AC Milan, scoring seven goals, since arriving in 2023. The forward prefers to be deployed in the left wing role and is known for his pace and threat when running with the ball, rather than being prolific in front of goal. If signed and deployed by Farke, he could test Ben White next weekend.
Wilfried Gnonto was deployed in the left wing role against Everton but was substituted after 67 minutes with the scores level, Brendan Aaronson coming off the bench. It would be a surprise to see Okafor start for Leeds United this weekend but he could be handed a first outing off the bench against the Gunners.
The Swiss international broke through at Red Bull Salzburg, winning four league titles after taking his first steps with Basel. When coming up through the under-21 side of the Switzerland national team, former boss Mauro Lustrinelli noted the player’s ‘magnificent’ speed and ‘technical qualities’, which have only grown since then.
In other news, Arsenal could get cut-price superstar for £51m as Fabrizio Romano highlights Eze alternative.
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