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Predicted Arsenal XI vs Leeds United: Gabriel Jesus starts despite doubts

By James Cormack

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League group A match between Arsenal FC and FK Bodo/Glimt at Emirates Stadium on October 06, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League group A match between Arsenal FC and FK Bodo/Glimt at Emirates Stadium on October 06, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal are back in Premier League action on Sunday as they make the trip to an out-of-form Leeds United. 

Jesse Marsch’s side started the season brightly, but they haven’t tasted victory in their last five outings and an ominous test in the form of the league leaders awaits.

The Gunners have been nothing short of outstanding to start the 2022/23 campaign. Mikel Arteta’s side have lost just once all season and they secured a huge victory last weekend against Liverpool to ensure they remained at the top of the table.

Elland Road certainly isn’t an easy place to go, though, and Arsenal are concerned about the fitness of star striker Gabriel Jesus heading into the fixture.

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Leeds United

Here’s our predicted Arsenal XI for their upcoming Premier League clash against Leeds.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Takehiro Tomiyasu deserves to keep his place in the side. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Takehiro Tomiyasu deserves to keep his place in the side. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images) /

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – Matt Turner was brilliant in the week, but he’s still got a long way to go until he even thinks about usurping Ramsdale as Arsenal’s number one.

Ben White (RB) – White is simply undroppable at the moment.

William Saliba (CB) – Saliba played 90 minutes in the week but there’s no way that he’ll be dropped on Sunday.

Gabriel (CB) – Gabriel’s one to keep an eye on in the coming weeks. If there’s a weakness in this Arsenal side, it’s the Brazilian defender. Nevertheless, his status as a Premier League starter isn’t in doubt for now.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (LB) – While Tomiyasu’s inclusion at left-back was tactical in a bid to slow down Mo Salah, the former Bologna defender’s performance was so stellar that he deserves to continue in the starting XI.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka will return to the starting XI on Sunday. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka will return to the starting XI on Sunday. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Thomas Partey (DM) – Partey was excellent last weekend and he made a rare appearance in the Europa League on Thursday. The Ghanaian is fit, so he’ll continue at the base of midfield at Elland Road.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – It was strange to see an Arsenal side without Xhaka in Bodø as Arteta handed the Swiss international a rare rest. He’ll be back in from the start on Sunday, though.

Martin Odegaard (CM) – The skipper was bright in his homeland on Thursday and will keep his place in the starting XI.

Forwards

Gabriel Martinelli has been crucial to the Gunners’ success at the start of the season. (Photo by David Lidstrom/Getty Images)
Gabriel Martinelli has been crucial to the Gunners’ success at the start of the season. (Photo by David Lidstrom/Getty Images) /

Bukayo Saka (RW) – Saka’s impressive run of form continued in the week as he netted the winner in Bodø. The young winger’s a shoo-in to start in this one.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) – There are doubts over the Brazilian’s fitness ahead of Sunday’s game, but he has made the trip to Elland Road and I think he’ll start. Eddie Nketiah will get another chance against PSV in the week.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – Martinelli earned a much-needed rest on Thursday as he came on as a late substitute. He had previously started all of Arsenal’s games this season, such is his importance to Arteta’s Gunners and he’ll be back in against Leeds.