The second round of Premier League fixtures sees, newly promoted, Leeds United make the trip to North London to take on Mikel Areta's Arsenal side.
Leeds United begun their campaign overcoming David Moyes' Everton side, in a 1-0 win thanks to a Lukas Nmecha penalty. Daniel Farke's side were by far the better side on the night and deserved to win the match by more goals.
For Arsenal, they also started the season with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Arteta's side were poor on the day and will be looking to improve on their performance as they chase the Premier League trophy after finishing 2nd - 3 years in a row.
With many already giving Leeds a very slim chance of surviving relegation this season. By putting in a good performance against one of the best sides in the country - it will bring belief and hope that Farke's side can beat the drop this season.
Tactical Shift
Leeds United showed the whole of the Championship last season that their attacking football was good enough to compete and helped them win the league. The main question coming into this season was whether that football was sustainable - which they showed last weekend against an Everton side that was defensively sound all of last season, that it is.
However, Arsenal are a different level of competition - The Gunners like to dominate possession especially at home and like to suffocate teams by pressing high when they lose the ball.
Leeds United should look to sit back and absorb the pressure - with the new personnel in the squad Leeds United will be able to play this way - then hit Arsenal on the break with the space they leave open.
Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu will be missing until at least after the upcoming international break after injuring the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee. Ethan Ampadu was fouled late into the second half, which left him clutching his knee on the Elland Road turf during Monday’s fixture against Everton.
This injury to the Leeds United captain, will free a spot in the midfield 3 for the game against Arsenal which will most likely be utilised by holding midfielder Ilia Gruev.
Ilia Gruev was involved off the bench against Everton and will be used in a similar role against Arsenal, acting as a shield in front of the back 4. Gruev will have to be at the top of his game with the movement and creativity that his direct opponent Martin Odegaard will bring to the Arsenal side. If Gruev allows Arsenal's number 8 to take the time to pick out a pass and create chances for the front 3, then it could become a tough day at the office for Leeds United.
How should Farke set-up against this Arsenal system
Firstly the midfield 3 for Leeds United will be key, with 2 of the 3 that started against Everton expected to start the match. Ilia Gruev, Ao Tanaka and Anton Stach all bring qualities that are ideal for a midfield that needs to be resilient against a midfield as strong as Arsenal's.
Tanaka and Stach bring non stop energy in the midfield and were vital to stopping Everton's counter attacks. With Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal now have started to try and hit teams on the break at pace, and those two will be ideal to stopping their counter attacks.
Secondly, the wingers will be given space in behind against Arsenal. Depending on the full backs that start the game for Mikel Arteta's side, Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White like to attack high and wide leaving space for the Leeds United wingers. Even with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jurrien Timber who like to invert into midfield from the full back position, which again leaves space for the wingers. Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto who are both expected to start on the wings for Leeds United - have blistering pace which can definitely hurt Mikel Arteta's side.