Arsenal vs Leeds news: Gunners can get a grip on top four
Mikel Arteta’s Champions League-chasing Arsenal host a Leeds side fighting for their Premier League lives who have lost their last four visits to the Emirates.
The Gunners have spent five seasons out of the Champions League as they struggled to find the right players or manager, but after Mikel Arteta signed a new contract on Friday, it appears he's the man to take them forward.
When: Sunday 8 May, 2022 (14:00 BST)
Where: The Emirates Stadium
How to watch: Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event
Who is the referee for Arsenal vs Leeds?
Games refereed by Chris Kavanagh in season 2021/22: Games 15, yellow cards 56, red cards 2.
Recent form
It's a remarkable run of form Arsenal have been on recently, having lost to Palace, Brighton and Southampton, they've followed up by beating Chelsea, Man Utd and West Ham.
It's a day for the centre-backs! 💪
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 1, 2022
Gabriel joins Holding on the scoresheet to put Arsenal back in front ☄️ pic.twitter.com/dsZv3aGNeT
A couple of draws and then heavy defeat against Man City though have put them right back in the firing line - mainly due to Burnley's astonishing run and Everton's home form.
Players in form
⭐️ @BukayoSaka87 has been directly involved in 17 goals for @Arsenal in the #PL this season (11 ⚽️, 6 🅰️)
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 1, 2022
That's the most by a player aged 21 or under in a single campaign since Dele Alli in 2016/17 (21) #WHUARS pic.twitter.com/e7ikGOvbzJ
Past meetings
#OnThisDay 2003
— Football Remind (@FootballRemind) May 4, 2022
Leeds beat Arsenal 3-2 in a thrilling encounter helping them avoid relegation.
Kewell, Harte and Viduka the goal scorers #LUFCpic.twitter.com/PNhOd7aBQy
Managers thoughts
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta: "There is a lot to play for. Obviously the situation they are in but it's a defining moment in the season for us after everything we've done over the last 9/10 months. We want to capitalise on what we've done.
Mikel Arteta 🤝 Jonas Eidevall
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 6, 2022
Here to stay pic.twitter.com/NlbJ5ZOU2L
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch on how they'll stay up: "No idea what it will take. All I care about is each match and right now that is Arsenal.
"I know from a media perspective people like to write about emotion and momentum, but when you are in this business you know the job is preparing to perform, eliminating things like the media that get in the way of doing our jobs."
Predicted teams
💬 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀: “Patrick has been on the training pitch, so we remain cautiously optimistic. Liam trained today and I actually think he'll play. Diego also trained." pic.twitter.com/XhHNOp2fHE
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 6, 2022
There are more headaches for Marsch to deal with - including whether to risk Patrick Bamford yet or save him for what could be the crucial final three games.
Arsenal possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tavares; Xhaka, Elneny; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah
Leeds United possible starting lineup: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Struijk, Firpo; Klich, Phillips; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison; James