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Arsenal seek to bounce back from first defeat v unbeaten Leeds
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๐ฐ Arsenal, beaten for the first time this season, look to bounce back when unbeaten Leeds visit the Emirates on 10 October.
๐ Key points
๐๏ธ Kick-off is 12.30pm (UK) on Saturday 10 October at the Emirates.
๐ Arsenal lost 3-0 at Brighton just before the international break.
๐ Arsenal are second on 12 points; Leeds are fifth on nine after two wins and three draws.
๐ฉน Saliba and Tzolis are out, with Havertz and others doubtful.
๐ Arsenal have won their last seven league meetings with Leeds.
๐ What happened
๐ The defending champions took 12 points from their first five games before a heavy 3-0 defeat at Brighton. Daniel Farke's Leeds, by contrast, are still unbeaten with two wins and three draws.
๐ฉน Arsenal have the longer injury list. According to The Stats Zone, Saliba and Tzolis are out while White, Rice and Havertz are doubts. Football.London reports Havertz strained his left hamstring with Germany and is doubtful, while Rice withdrew from the England squad for load management and is expected back for Leeds.
๐ฆด Football.London expects Saliba, recovering from a back fracture, to return in December, but White, Mosquera and Odegaard should be available on Saturday. Leeds are without Rodon and Joseph, with Wilson a doubt.
๐ The head-to-head is one-sided: Arsenal have won seven league meetings in a row and have not lost to Leeds since 2003, winning 5-0 and 4-0 last season.
๐ By the numbers
โข Arsenal: 12 points from five games, 2nd
โข Leeds: W2 D3, 9 points, 5th
โข Seven straight league wins over Leeds, 9-0 on aggregate last season
โข Arsenal clean sheets last season: 19 in 38 league games
๐ What to watch
๐ก๏ธ Rebuilding the defence โ After conceding three at Brighton and with Saliba still out, Arsenal need to steady things at the back quickly. The fitness of White and Mosquera is key.
โฝ Saka's form โ Saka returns from international duty with two goals against Croatia. With Havertz and Tzolis missing, even more will rest on him.
๐งฑ Leeds' resilience โ Leeds have built their unbeaten run largely on draws. The Stats Zone expects them to be awkward and obdurate opponents.
๐ฉน Rice's availability โ Whether Rice is fully fit could change how Arsenal control midfield.
๐ญ Why it matters
A home game straight after their first defeat could set the tone for Arsenal's autumn. Lille visit in the Champions League on 13 October, followed by trips to Nottingham Forest (18 October) and Bayern (21 October), so a win with so many injuries would ease the pressure on a packed month.
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