Arsenal vs Leeds United EFL Cup preview: Marcelo Bielsa takes on Mikel Arteta in the round of 16 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. (Photo by Visionhaus)
Arsenal play their third game in eight days on Tuesday as Mikel Arteta’s side welcome Leeds United to the Emirates Stadium for the EFL Cup round of 16. Here is the match preview.
The mood has lifted dramatically since Friday after a superb performance against Aston Villa offered one of the finest examples yet of what this team can produce. There were only two changes to the lineup from the manager. It felt like 11.
Pressing intensely all over the pitch, hunting in packs and forcing unstructured play, Arsenal were rampant in their 3-1 win with shots peppering Emi Martinez’s goal and the visitors made to look desperately average.
Those three Premier League points extended the unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions, a stretch that includes victory in this very competition.
Arsenal vs Leeds United EFL Cup preview: Marcelo Bielsa takes on Mikel Arteta in the round of 16 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday
Seeing off AFC Wimbledon with relative comfort in the previous round handed the Gunners a tasty tie with Leeds, who look like a shadow of their former selves having secured just the solitary win so far in the Premier League.
Languishing just one place and three points above the relegation zone, Marcelo Bielsa has not been helped by a plethora of injuries in key positions stretching his squad out thin.
They have had joy in this competition though, albeit still not finding their usual fluid best. It started with a 3-0 home win over Crewe, before they made the journey down to Fulham and scraped past the Cottagers on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes.
With Arsenal in better form that Leeds at present and the presence of a host of injuries for the latter, it gives the home side the favourite tag in what should nonetheless be an enticing clash with the reward for victory a spot in the quarter-finals.
Arteta will also need to make alterations to his team after two games in five days, as Leicester away is next up on the domestic fixture list on Saturday lunchtime.
EFL Cup trophy? Wouldn’t mind that.
How to Watch on TV
When Is Kick Off? Tuesday 26 October
What Time Is Kick Off? 19:45 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Emirates Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK) fuboTV (USA)
Referee? Andre Marriner
Continued on next page…
@biel_m04 🤝 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-leeds-efl-cup-preview-prediction/"https://twitter.com/ben6white?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@ben6white <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-leeds-efl-cup-preview-prediction/"https://t.co/nWN9Pis6du">pic.twitter.com/nWN9Pis6du
<p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-leeds-efl-cup-preview-prediction/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1451892914024599553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 23, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
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<h2>Arsenal vs Leeds United EFL Cup preview: Marcelo Bielsa takes on Mikel Arteta in the round of 16 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday</h2>
<p>Seeing off AFC Wimbledon with relative comfort in the previous round handed the Gunners a tasty tie with Leeds, who look like a shadow of their former selves having secured just the solitary win so far in the <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-leeds-efl-cup-preview-prediction/"https://www.90min.com/leagues/premier-league" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Premier League</a>.</p>
<p>Languishing just one place and three points above the relegation zone, Marcelo Bielsa has not been helped by a plethora of injuries in key positions stretching his squad out thin.</p>
<p>They have had joy in this competition though, albeit still not finding their usual fluid best. It started with a 3-0 home win over Crewe, before they made the journey down to Fulham and scraped past the Cottagers on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes.</p>
<p>With Arsenal in better form that Leeds at present and the presence of a host of injuries for the latter, it gives the home side the favourite tag in what should nonetheless be an enticing clash with the reward for victory a spot in the quarter-finals.</p>
<p>Arteta will also need to make alterations to his team after two games in five days, as Leicester away is next up on the domestic fixture list on Saturday lunchtime.</p>
<p>EFL Cup trophy? Wouldn’t mind that.</p>
<h2>How to Watch on TV</h2>
<p><strong>When Is Kick Off?</strong> Tuesday 26 October<br>
<strong>What Time Is Kick Off?</strong> 19:45 (GMT)<br>
<strong>Where Is it Played? </strong>Emirates Stadium<br>
<strong>TV Channel/Live Stream?</strong> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-leeds-efl-cup-preview-prediction/"https://www.skysports.com/get-sky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sky Sports</a> (UK) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-leeds-efl-cup-preview-prediction/"https://www.fubo.tv/stream/soccer/?irad=409363&irmp=374356&subID1=FS-LiveDrops%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">fuboTV</a> (USA)<br>
<strong>Referee?</strong> Andre Marriner</p>
<p><em>Continued on next page…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-leeds-efl-cup-preview-prediction/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Arsenal team news vs Leeds </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-120241" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-leeds-efl-cup-preview-prediction/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1236064677-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Gabriel" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Gabriel and Nuno Tavares of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Arsenal Team News vs Leeds United – Tierney Misses Out?</h2>
<p>After two tough fixtures during the week there is sure to be a few tired legs out there for Arsenal who will be viewing this fixture as a chance for rotation.</p>
<p>But not too much. After all, a win here books a place in the quarter-finals. It’s a trophy and, realistically, aside from Manchester City obviously walking it, perhaps the best chance this team has of silverware this term.</p>
<p>Some of the changes and selections may be forced, though. It’s still unclear how long Kieran Tierney will be out for with a bruised ankle but Arteta’s words after the Villa win hint strongly that Tuesday will come too soon for him. Eyes will be on a return for Leicester.</p>
<p>Both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette worryingly hobbled off on Friday, only for the manager to allay fears and confirm the pair merely suffered from cramp.</p>
<p>With Granit Xhaka and Tierney confirmed to be out, the selections Arteta makes will be interesting to see as he searches for the balance between experience and freshness.</p>
<p>Bielsa isn’t quite as fortunate. His threadbare squad is still without Luke Ayling, Junior Firpo, Robin Koch and Patrick Bamford, while Kalvin Phillips was only fit enough for a spot on the bench against Wolves having missed three weeks out with an injury.</p>
<p>Raphinha suffered an ankle issue in that 1-1 draw but he looks to be fit to feature on Tuesday, although it’s possible he won’t be risked with the Premier League undoubtedly the primary concern this term.</p>
<p><em>Continued on next page…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-leeds-efl-cup-preview-prediction/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Predicted lineups & score prediction </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-120194" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-leeds-efl-cup-preview-prediction/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1341941413-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Gabi" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and AFC Wimbledon at Emirates Stadium on September 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Arsenal Predicted Lineup to Face Leeds in EFL Cup – 11 Changes for Arteta?</h2>
<p><strong>Arsenal:</strong> Leno; Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Tavares; Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Odegaard, Pepe, Martinelli; Nketiah</p>
<p><strong>Leeds:</strong> Meslier; Shackleton, Cresswell, Cooper, Dallas; Struijk, Gelhardt, Rodrigo, Klich, Harrison, Roberts</p>
<h2>Arsenal vs Leeds Score Prediction</h2>
<p>Even if Leeds are able to put out a strong side, the injuries they’re dealing with are running them extremely thin. Their bench against Wolves was hugely uninspiring.</p>
<p>Arsenal, meanwhile, can field an entirely different starting lineup for this one full of experienced players <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-leeds-efl-cup-preview-prediction/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/12/arsenal-4-players-big-role-arteta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">who’ve barely had a sniff this season</a>. Key among them is Gabriel Martinelli, and where he gets chosen to play for this one, whether at centre-forward or out wide, will be a key talking point.</p>
<p>Crucial for the Gunners in this one is exploiting space in behind. Everyone knows Leeds’ penchant for man marking all over the pitch, therefore the likes of Pepe, Nketiah and Martinelli are set to find joy in transition. Chances will fall their way.</p>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-leeds-efl-cup-preview-prediction/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-odegaard-decision-big-question/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Martin Odegaard will likely get the nod</a> as he’s been temporarily usurped in the Premier League team, while there could also be starts for Elneny and Maitland-Niles in midfield.</p>
<p>Preferably Arteta will keep the bones of the side that was breathless against Villa, but he simply can’t head into this one without a decent amount of rotation. It will cause disruption in the team no doubt, hence why he might stick with someone like Gabriel for a touch of continuity.</p>
<p>Will it be enough? It should be.</p>
<p>Leeds are in dreadful form and for many this fixture may come across as a fairly unwanted distraction as they try to solve their league troubles. They’ll still be up for it and backed by a brilliant away following, meaning there could be some goals in this one.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Ramsdale's qualities by numbers" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-aaron-ramsdale-stats-passing/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-leeds-efl-cup-preview-prediction/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/24/arsenal-aaron-ramsdale-stats-passing/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Ramsdale's qualities by numbers </a> </div>
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<p><strong>Score Prediction:</strong> Arsenal 3-2 Leeds</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
