Premier League: Injury-hit Leeds Need to Bounce Back – and Quick!

Leeds United vs Arsenal

Make no mistake, Leeds United will be hurting.

Sure, after taking four points from Manchester City last season, the reigning Premier League champions were always going to be fired up to give the Yorkshire club a taste of their own medicine.

But the Premier League embarrassment they suffered in Manchester on Tuesday night will sting for some time.

In fact, Marcelo Bielsa and his players will probably not mind if they don’t have to return to Manchester again in a hurry. They have lost their two matches there this season by an aggregate of 12-1.

Branded a whizz coach by some, now is time for him to show last season’s encouraging campaign wasn’t a one-off.

Talking Points

To his credit, Bielsa took the blame as Leeds equalled their worst ever result in the top flight, set previously when losing 8-1 against Stoke in 1934, 7-0 against West Ham in 1966 and 7-0 against Arsenal in 1979.

This weekend as they await the visit of Arsenal, Leeds could do with the return of last season’s top scorer Patrick Bamford’s and club-record signing Rodrigo.

How they could do with the goals they may provide after over-relying on Brazilian Raphinha so far this term.

The better news for them is that after back-to-back games at City and Chelsea – a five-goal thriller they were slightly unfortunate to lose last weekend – matters surely can’t get any worse.

They will be backed to the hilt by their die-hard supporters who, according to acclaimed writer Henry Winter, showed far more heart than many of those on the pitch in midweek.

Arsenal have had a troubled few days of their own.

Not so much on the pitch, where they followed up a comprehensive 3-0 victory over of Southampton by seeing off West Ham 2-0.

But more for the dispute with Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang who was stripped of the captaincy and whose future at the club must now be in doubt.

The Gabon striker was removed as skipper for what was described as his “latest disciplinary breach”.

Certainly, after his contributions won the FA Cup and Community Shield less than 18 months ago, it seems the love affair between player and Gunners fans may be nearing an end.

Mikel Arteta has impressed with his firm handling of the matter with a player who took over as captain in November 2019 after midfielder Granit Xhaka was relieved of the job by then boss Unai Emery.

After a troubled week in different ways for both clubs, what are the odds we are now treated to some Premier League 2021 highlights?

History

It is quite a history and, for the most part, their league meetings in the modern day have been one-sided.

In fact, Leeds have not beaten Arsenal since May 2003 but that was a mightily important game as it was a shock win which ensured Leeds survived in the Premier League, while ending Arsenal’s title hopes at the expense of Manchester United.

It remains their only success against the Gunners in the last 12 league meetings in league and cup.

They drew 0-0 at Elland Road in this fixture last season which was their best result for some time.

The return match saw Aubameyang soar with a hat-trick as the Gunners raced to a 4-0 lead, Hector Bellerin was their other marksman, before Leeds restored some pride through Pascal Strujik and Helder Costa.

Until last term, their most recent top-flight match had been in 2004 when Arsenal were on the verge of reclaiming the championship and Leeds were within weeks of being relegated. That night Thierry Henry was unstoppable, netting four in a 5-0 win at Highbury.

Since then, they have also met four times in the third round of the FA Cup with Arsenal winning all three ties (one following a replay).

In 2011, Arsenal needed a last gasp Cesc Fabregas penalty to earn a 1-1 draw before winning the replay 3-1 at Elland Road when Samir Nasri, Bakary Sagna and Robin van Persie scored the goals.

The following season, Arsenal won 1-0 with a goal from the returning Henry who was on loan at the club.

They then repeated that scoreline in the competition in 2020 with Reiss Nelson the matchwinner.

Historically, the rivalry has been a much closer one with 48 Arsenal wins, 41 Leeds triumphs and 33 draws.

They have never met in the league outside of the top flight.

Betting Tip

	Leeds United vs Arsenal	1X2 Draw @ 3.40
	December 19, 01:30 (GMT+8)

The SBOTOP Premier League 2021 betting odds lean towards Arteta’s Arsenal who are priced 1X2 @ 2.15 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 1.88.

Leeds, meanwhile, are on offer with attractive odds of 1X2 @ 3.25 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.05.

A repeat of the corresponding fixture last season – correct score 0-0 – is available @ 12.50, while 1X2 draw will pay out @ 3.40.

If Bamford, Rodrigo and midfielder Kalvin Phillips return, Leeds’ chances will improve but it’s hard to see them winning. I think they may still scrape a draw at home, though.

 

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