Leeds United travel down to the Emirates this weekend to take on Arsenal in Daniel Farke’s first test against one of the league’s best sides.
A home win against Everton was a strong statement of intent for Leeds this season to showcase their credentials to finish above the bottom three, but their next outing will be a real challenge.
David Moyes’ Everton are no slouches, but their makeshift side was there to be beaten, which should be in stark contract to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal that are vying for the title after multiple seasons missing out.
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Arsenal will be without Kai Havertz for Leeds United clash due to knee injury
The Gunners’ campaign got off to a winning start away at Manchester United thanks to a scrambled in set-piece goal, and they will be looking to build on that with a much more cohesive attacking performance against newly-promoted opposition this Saturday tea time.
Arteta, though, will be forced to deal without key attacker Kai Havertz as David Ornstein reveals that the German has suffered a knee injury.
🚨 Arsenal forward Kai Havertz set for spell out with knee injury. Assessments on 26yo Germany int’l at early stage so prognosis + duration unclear but #AFC actively exploring transfer market for signing to strengthen attack & provide cover @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/j2jroAZnXO
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 20, 2025
It leaves Havertz set for a spell on the sidelines and therefore ruled out of United’s trip to the Emirates this weekend.
Havertz did start on the bench against Man United, but came on against Viktor Gyokeres after the Swede’s underwhelming debut at Old Trafford.
Arsenal reportedly planning Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke switch ahead of Leeds United meeting
With Havertz out, Arteta’s plans require a re-think for the weekend and he’s also reportedly considering shifting his wide options too.
According to Connor Humm, present at Arsenal’s open training session on Wednesday, shared that Bukayo Saka was deployed on the left wing for some drills, while new signing Noni Madueke was on the right.
(REUTERS/Peter Powell)
Of course, Saka has been the nailed-on right-winger at Arsenal for some time so a shift to the left would be an eyebrow raiser from Arteta in the first home league game of the campaign.
However, Humm also shared that later in the session, Saka did revert to the right wing with Madueke taking up his position on the left.
Leeds United’s defence have their work cut out against a hungry Arsenal side
Leeds didn’t really have to break much sweat to shut out Everton on Monday night, which is an impressive feat, but also nothing compared to what will follow this weekend.
Arsenal are hungry to go one better in the title race than their previous attempts, and starting off on the right foot at home is imperative.
For Leeds, it therefore means we’re going to be facing a side with a bit between their teeth and anything but a perfect defensive display won’t be enough for a result.
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