Following the prolonged international break, the Premier League (finally) returns this weekend for matchday six. Teams will now play another five league matches over the next few weeks before yet another international break (this one is only two weeks, hooray) towards the end of November.
Arsenal face Leeds United in what could be one of the ties of the weekend, especially given recent form by both sides.
Where: Emirates Stadium, London, England
When: 7:30am ET / 4:30am PT
How to Watch: Broadcast live on USA Network and Universo (Español)
Arsenal will be aiming to bounce back to winning ways
Arsenal opened up their Premier League campaign with four successive victories, conceding just one goal in the process. It appeared as though the psychological barrier that had affected the Gunners across the previous few seasons had suddenly vanished thanks to winning the Premier League title last term. The handbrake was well and truly off.
Then came a trip to the AMEX. Visits to the south coast are never easy, but Brighton toyed with Arsenal in the last fixture before the break, sealing a comfortable 3-0 win over Mikel Arteta’s shellshocked side.
The Spaniard will be hoping that the defeat acts as a wakeup call, especially considering Arsenal play nine games between now and November 7.
Their record against Leeds is excellent, winning eight consecutive matches against them dating back to 2020. Last season, the North Londoners won both meetings with a combined aggregate score of 9-0. This season, however, Leeds could prove to be a different proposition due to their own solid form in the top flight.
Arsenal can either sink or swim on Saturday afternoon. Arteta will be hoping his side have learnt plenty from the loss to Brighton and bounce back to winning ways at the Emirates.
Leeds have been in good form this season
Perhaps the start to the season that Leeds have enjoyed shouldn’t be a surprise given how well they finished the 2025/26 campaign off. Indeed, Daniel Farke’s men lost just five games after Christmas to ensure their Premier League survival. That run appears to have galvanized the club, winning twice and drawing three of the opening five league matches of the season.
Leeds have only conceded three goals across those matches and this improvement at the back could potentially see Farke’s men challenge for a top half finish in the Premier League.
A trip to the Emirates, however, will be Leeds’ toughest fixture of the campaign so far. Furthermore, the stadium isn’t exactly a happy hunting ground having lost their previous seven matches in all competitions in North London.
Might this be the game in which that winless drought ends? Farke will take comfort in the fact Brighton defeated the defending champions 3-0 last time out, a result which offers some hope to the Yorkshire outfit.
It will be tough, no doubt about that, but any positive result in London on Saturday would allow Leeds to continue building momentum.
Team news
Arsenal’s William Saliba continues to be absent from that injury sustained during the World Cup, although he is expected to return by late November. Christos Tzolis suffered a hamstring injury playing for Greece over the break; he’s out a few weeks. The likes of Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, Max Dowman, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapié and Kai Havertz all remain doubts for the game.
Daniel Farke will be without Joe Rodon and Mateo Joseph this weekend, while Jean-Matteo Bahoya is doubtful.
Prediction
A few weeks ago, Arsenal fans might have bookmarked this clash as one which would have a solid chance of securing all three points from. Things aren’t quite as straightforward now, however, especially with the Gunners suffering a defeat prior to the international break.
Much will depend on whether several of their key players are fit to play. One thing Arteta will be cautious of is managing his team over the next few weeks. Nine games in 28 days will test this Arsenal squad, but I do expect them to seal all three points against Leeds. Arsenal 2 – 0 Leeds.
