Arsenal welcome Leeds United to the Emirates Stadium this weekend as they enter the final stretch of their Premier League title challenge. Only 10 games remain and of the previous 28, the visitors provided perhaps one of the most challenging as the Gunners escaped Elland Road with a rather fortuitous 1-0 after a missed Patrick Bamford penalty, a glut of missed chances and a rescinded Gabriel Magalhaes red card.
The situation for both teams now however is much clearer. Arsenal are top of the league and pushing for a title whereas Leeds find themselves again in a scrap with a host of clubs to avoid falling into the bottom three places come the conclusion of the campaign.
With that in mind, football.london has spoken to Leeds Live club writer Beren Cross to get a better understanding of Arsenal’s opponents in their current form. Cross discusses Javi Gracia's introduction, missing stars and how that Elland Road clash might inform tomorrow’s game.
READ MORE: Why Leeds United hope Mikel Arteta wins March Manager of the Month to tempt Arsenal implosion
How has the transition to Javi Gracia been, there's been some good results, how has the team changed and has there been any notable stylistic and personnel differences?
It’s probably gone as well as could have been expected. Seven points from 12 in the league is a very credible return for a team which had only taken 19 points from the previous 69 available.
Gracia's watchword has been balance. In other words, he wants to ensure the team does not defend too much or, as may have been the case prior to his arrival, attack too freely.
The Spaniard evidently felt Leeds were conceding too many goals and as with so many rescue missions through Premier League history, the first thing you look to change in a struggling side is the defence. Make clean sheets your foundation.
There’s ironically only been one of those in his four league games, but United have looked more solid generally. It’s not been perfect, but those three points at Molineux before the break really boosted everyone’s optimism.
A big blow will be the absences of Wober, Gnonto and Adams this weekend. How do you think that will affect the team and might it change the approach for the trip to the Emirates?
Even if that trio had been available I would have expected Gracia to go for a defensive approach. It may not be a full parking of the bus, but I would not be surprised if the double-decker didn’t get too far beyond the Leeds penalty box.
Mentality aside, they are three big losses. You are arguably talking about the club’s best defender, midfielder and forward being on the sidelines. It’s questionable how often United will be able to attack, so Gnonto’s absence may not be felt too keenly.
However, Wober was certainly able to raise the level of the defenders around him, while nobody else in the squad can carry out the hassling and harrying which has arguably made Adams the player of the year at Elland Road.
In the reverse fixture, it was one of the toughest tests the Gunners have faced and were certainly fortunate to come out unscathed and with all three points intact.
No, I don’t think so. Gracia even said that himself in the pre-match press conference. It was more than five months ago and on the other side of a gargantuan World Cup break.
The similarities lie in the pre-match predictions. Even then, in the early stages of Arsenal’s outstanding campaign, we had all written the Whites off in that contest. And yet they turned out one of their best displays of the season and thoroughly deserved to win the game, let alone draw it.
Elland Road was a huge factor that day too. Unfortunately for Leeds, the Emirates will be rocking on Saturday with tails up on the back of a stellar recent run of form for the Gunners. The circumstances are so different to mid-October and the hosts can smell the title.
With the managerial change, some personnel changes to in the team and so much time having passed, can anything from this match be assessed to predict how this reverse fixture might go?
Gracia says not. He was asked that a couple of times in different ways on Thursday, but he made it clear Saturday had his and the team’s full attention. Anything less and it could be a sickening day for Leeds against such a high-class opponent.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal can recall Gabriel Jesus against Leeds United with Thomas Partey replacement on standby
The next two Arsenal players to pen new deals after Bukayo Saka signs contract extension
Arsenal risk Serge Gnabry repeat after Edu transfer decision
William Saliba, Thomas Partey: Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Leeds United
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
