Arsenal will return to their Premier League clash with Leeds on Saturday, knowing an immediate response is required following the Brighton debacle.
Mikel Arteta’s side won four league games before a sharp reality check at the Brighton Amex Stadium.
The 3-0 defeat was Arsenal’s heaviest defeat in the Premier League for more than three years and exposed a side that looked unusually vulnerable under pressure.
The international break at least gave Arteta time to find out what went wrong.
Arsenal remain second after picking up 12 points from their first five games, a position that remains healthy, but there is little room for another straight display at home.
A win over Leeds would quickly restore confidence and ensure Brighton’s setback did not turn into something more damaging.
However, Saturday’s visitors cannot be underestimated.
Daniel Farken’s team got off to a great start and went unbeaten in the league. Two wins and three draws have taken Leeds to 9 points, just three behind Arsenal.
They also conceded just three goals, which means Arsenal may need to be patient against a side that could trouble them on the afternoon.
Recent history favors the gunners a lot.
Arsenal and Leeds – head to head – last 5 meetings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
History | Home team | Account | The away team | Competition |
January 31, 2026 | Leeds | 0-4 | Arsenal | Premier League |
August 23, 2025 | Arsenal | 5-0 | Leeds United | Premier League |
April 1, 2023 | Arsenal | 4-1 | Leeds United | Premier League |
October 16, 2022 | Leeds | 0-1 | Arsenal | Premier League |
May 8, 2022 | Arsenal | 2-1 | Leeds United | Premier League |
Arsenal went unbeaten last season, winning both of their league matches and have now beaten Leeds in seven consecutive Premier League matches.
Arteta’s preparations have been hampered by several fitness concerns since the international break.
Christos Tzolis picked up a knee problem while playing in Greece, while Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Ezri Konsa required attention.
Konsa is reportedly dealing with a dead leg and remains questionable for the weekend.
Defensively, there is at least some encouraging news.
Arsenal have backed Cristhian Mosquera as Mikel Arteta prepares for the Leeds test
Standard Sport’s Matt Wherry has revealed that Cristhian Mosquera is ready to face Leeds.
Ben White is also set to return, giving Arteta more room to make changes to his back line.
Villa Park was the scene of Mosquera’s last appearance, with the defender unable to continue after picking up a muscle problem during Arsenal’s 1-0 win in August.
He then made five appearances in all competitions, although there were positive signs when he traveled with the squad for the defeat at Brighton.
Mosquera was not selected for the matchday squad on the south coast, but his presence with his teammates suggested a comeback was imminent.
He has since returned to the training ground and now looks set to rejoin the squad.
With William Saliba still working his way back from a long-term back injury, doubts surrounding Konsa could deprive Arsenal of their preferred options in central defence.
Arteta must now decide if Mosquera is ready to start straight away or if a place on the bench is a safer approach in his absence.
Even if he does return to action, having both Mosquera and White available will greatly strengthen Arsenal’s hand.
Leeds have already shown they can frustrate their Premier League opponents this season, so Arsenal will need control, patience and more, if not more, defensive security than they managed at Brighton.