Up next for Leeds United, they make the trip down to North London to face Arsenal on Saturday evening, a daunting prospect awaiting Daniel Farke.
A home win on matchday one was just the tonic for Daniel Farke and Leeds, hoping to at the bare minimum be competitive in their quest for Premier League survival.
There were genuine fears that Leeds could start the campaign with three straight losses if they fell to defeat against Everton, knowing the two games that follow against Champions League opposition, starting with Arsenal.
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Chris Sutton makes Arsenal v Leeds United pre-match prediction
You’ll be hard pressed to find someone optimistically confident of Leeds getting any sort of result at the Emirates on Saturday evening, Arsenal’s first home game of the new campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s perennial runners up have proven their ability to challenge for the title time and again, falling short three times in a row, but spending big this summer to bridge that gap to Liverpool – splashing out a total of £194million already with £67.5million Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze due to join imminently too.
Even though Eze will be ineligible as Arsenal complete their deal over the weekend, Sky Sports pundit Chris Sutton expects the Gunners to still run riot against Leeds with Viktor Gyokeres tipped to potentially get off the mark after a worryingly stiff showing last Sunday.
(REUTERS/Russell Cheyne)
“I didn’t feel Arsenal’s performance was there against Manchester United but still, at least they found a way to win,” Sutton said, in his weekly BBC predictions. “All the talk in this game is going to be about Viktor Gyokeres and whether he can get off the mark. There was such an overreaction after he didn’t score against Man United.
“He’s been written off as a dud in some quarters already! That’s the modern game, you can get written off after your first hour of playing in the Premier League. Not me though, no, I think he’ll come good.
“Leeds played with such intensity against Everton, although the penalty they won was slightly harsh. Will Daniel Farke’s side show that same level of bravery at the Emirates? Probably, and if so it’ll cost them.
“*Sutton’s prediction: 4-0″*
Arsenal away is a free hit for Leeds United, but a draw would be huge
No Leeds fan can justifiably expect a result away to Arsenal, one of the best sides in Europe and defensively so strong, especially at home.
The core principles that Farke needs to get right is being organised out of possession and commanding from set pieces, denying the Gunners as easy a route to goal as they got against Manchester United.
Shutting out Arsenal and frustrating them, while stinging them on the break with pace in behind is our only chance of getting a draw or win here.
Having won on the opening day, the pressure is off Leeds having to get off the mark soon, though.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!