Leeds Face Major Test as Premier League Leaders Arsenal Visit Elland Road

In-form hosts welcome title challengers with strong recent record in Yorkshire

Leeds United face a stern examination of their impressive recent form as they welcome Premier League leaders Arsenal to Elland Road, a venue where the Gunners have enjoyed considerable success in recent years.

Team news and form

Leeds’ 1-1 draw away at Everton on Monday night moved them six points clear of the relegation zone and extended an excellent run of form, with just one defeat in their last 10 league matches (W3, D6). The Whites’ growing confidence was evident in their frustration at only taking a point from Merseyside.

Since the start of December, no Premier League side has lost fewer matches than Leeds (just one), and they now arrive with their longest home unbeaten run in a single top-flight season since May 2021. Leeds are unbeaten in their last five home league games (W3, D2), making Elland Road a far tougher place to visit than earlier in the campaign.

Arsenal remain four points clear at the top of the table, but their grip on first place loosened slightly after a subdued 3-2 defeat to Manchester United, extending their league winless run to three matches (D2, L1). The Gunners responded in style midweek, however, with a 3-2 victory over Kairat Almaty, completing a perfect eight wins from eight in the Champions League group stage.

Mikel Arteta’s side have not lost consecutive league matches since December 2023, and their away record remains strong, with just one defeat in their last nine league games on the road (W5, D3). As such, it would be a surprise if their title charge were to derail here.

Head-to-head

Arsenal have dominated this fixture, winning each of the last seven meetings, and they are unbeaten at Elland Road since November 2000 (W6, D2).

Stats and trends

• Leeds have never beaten a league-leading team at home in Premier League history (D7, L7).
  
• Both teams have scored in eight of Leeds’ last nine home league matches.
  
• Seven of Arsenal’s last nine league games have featured an odd number of goals.
  
• Arsenal’s away league matches this season have produced the fewest first-half goals in the division, averaging just 0.82 per game.
  

One to watch and absences

Leeds defender James Justin has scored in two of his last three appearances, with five of his last seven goals coming after half-time — including two against Arsenal in September 2024.

For the visitors, Viktor Gyökeres has found the net in three of his last five matches for Arsenal, with three of his last five club goals arriving inside the opening 30 minutes.

Leeds will be without Jaka Bijol and Daniel James, while Gabriel Gudmundsson also missed the Everton draw. Arsenal pair William Saliba and Jurriën Timber remain doubts after sitting out the midweek European fixture.