Paul Merson identifies 'advantage' Leeds have over Arsenal ahead of Premier League clash

Arsenal must be wary of Leeds after their setback against Brighton, says Paul Merson (Picture: Sky Sports)

Paul Merson says Daniel Farke’s undefeated Leeds side have an ‘advantage’ facing Arsenal immediately after the international break in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.

Arsenal got their Premier League title defence off the ground in imperious fashion this season, winning their four opening matches while conceding just one goal.

The Gunners also safely secured their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a Max Dowman-inspired victory over Ipswich at Portman Road.

However, the north London giants suffered their first hiccup of the new top-flight campaign last month as they were swept aside in a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

The reigning English champions offered very little by way of response across what was an uncharacteristically limp and disjointed performance on the south coast.

Mikel Arteta will have been desperate for his players to return from the break unscathed and reinvigorated, with his side trailing Manchester City by three points at the top of the table.

However, there are doubts surrounding the fitness of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Ezri Konsa, Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis heading into this weekend’s clash, leaving Arteta with a potential selection headache at Elland Road.

Arteta’s men trail City by three points at the top (Picture: Getty)

Brighton put three unanswered goals past Arsenal before the break (Picture: Getty)

The rapid turnaround from international back to club football may be another key factor that could count against Saturday’s visitors, according to ex-Arsenal and England midfielder Merson.

Previewing the contest on Sky Sports News, Merson explained said: ‘A lot of players go away in the international break at Arsenal.

‘They probably came back yesterday, did a little warm-up so they literally get today and a little bit tomorrow, running through set-plays and patterns, and then they’re kicking off at 12:30pm on Saturday.

‘So there hasn’t been a lot of time and I think it’s a bit of a leveller for Leeds, this is a little bit of an advantage for Leeds that they’re playing straight after the international break at 12:30pm.’

Leeds sit fifth after an encouraging start to the new season (Picture: Getty)

Asmir Begovic, who joined Merson from the Sky Sports studio, agreed that it was the perfect time to face Arsenal from Leeds’ perspective.

However, the former Stoke and Chelsea goalkeeper believes Arsenal’s setback at Brighton will have come as a ‘wake-up call’ to Arteta’s squad and he expects a big reaction at Elland Road.

Asked if the international break gives fifth-placed Leeds a ‘better chance’ going into the match, Begovic replied: ‘Yeah, I think the time you want to play one of these big teams is right after the international break when they’ve been so disjointed, so many players off on internationals and not getting a lot of time to work together.

‘A lunchtime kick-off at Elland Road, Leeds will be absolutely buzzing for this game and they will have been looking forward to it for a long time.

Arteta signed a long-term contract with the Gunners this week (Picture: Getty)

‘It’s going to be a difficult test for Arsenal, one that they’re going to have to stand up to. But I think it’s one they’re going to relish.

‘Arsenal know what it takes to win the Premier League now, these are the sorts of games you have to go and get a result from.

‘You might have to defend, you might have to deal with set-plays, Leeds can do that very well, so they’re going to have to stand up.