Arsenal will be eager to bag all the three points on Saturday when they welcome Leeds United to the Emirates Stadium for their 29th league game this term.
The Gunners are top of the table and want to get as many points as they can from their remaining 10 matches as they seek to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since the 2003/04 season.
They come into this fixture with a strong head-to-head record, unbeaten by Leeds in their last 13 matches (W11, D2) and are confident they will keep this run come tomorrow, but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is wary of their opponents.
While talking to the media today, Arteta acknowledged Leeds’ improvement in the last few matches, and rightly so. The Whites have won two, drawn one, and lost just one since Javi Gracia replaced Jesse Marsch as manager.
“In particular, I think Leeds have a very clear DNA. They’ve been doing it for a long time. They are back right now and a very dangerous team. We discussed that openly and very clearly.” Arteta, who has just been voted the Manager of the Month of March said in the press conference.
Leeds manager Gracia knows the task ahead of him on Saturday is big, and has already drawn plans that he believes will help his team get something out of this fixture that they have not won since 2003.
“You have to be ready to defend more than attack. In attack, you have to be aggressive, clinical and take the chances. If you don’t produce good defensive work – you won’t have any chance.” Gracia said in a pre-match press conference. Leeds are only two points away from the bottom three and would want to improve their chances of survival.
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Arteta gave an update on Saliba’s injury and confirmed that he is unavailable for selection for tomorrow’s match, even though he is improving.
“He is progressing. Unfortunately, he still has some discomfort in his back. He’s not going to be fit for Leeds and we’re trying to do everything for him to feel better.” Arteta said. All other players are available for selection, except long-time absentee Mohammed Elneny.
For Leeds, Tyler Adams had surgery early this week so he joins Max Wober and Wilfred Gnonto on the list of players that are not available to face Arsenal. However, Gracia said that he believes in all the other players he has to put up a good performance.
