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9 min: Perri dallies with the ball at his feet and is hounded by Gyokeres, forcing a shanked clearance. Bogle keeps it in play with a header on the touchline, but Madueke races off with it. Bogle responds by clipping Madueke from behind, just outside the box. He goes into the book, and will have a long evening ahead of him.
8 min: Saka busies himself down the right and cuts back for Odegaard, who drags a shot wide right from the edge of the box. Perri had it covered.
7 min: Gudmundsson clumsily clanks into Zubimendi. Free kick to Arsenal, just to the right of the D. A chance to stick one into the box, but they opt to play it short and waste it.
5 min: Leeds haven’t had much of a sniff yet.
4 min: James stands on the ball in the centre circle, allowing Rice to steam off with it. Rice lays off to Odegaard, who tries a drive from distance. That’s blocked as well. Arsenal have started briskly.
3 min: Calafiori feeds Madueke down the left wing and keeps going. He gets the ball back as he enters the box on the overlap, but his cross, intended for Gyokeres in the middle, is no good. Blocked and cleared. But it’s a promising start by Madueke, who is stationed on his less-favoured flank.
2 min: Timber finds Madueke on the left with a raking crossfield pass. Madueke sends in a cross-cum-shot that’s easy pickings for Perri in the Leeds goal.
Leeds get the ball rolling. Arsenal soon take it off them.
… and now the players ready for tonight emerge. Arsenal in their traditional red and white, Leeds in second-choice blue. A genuine buzz in the stadium, a heady mix of first-home-fixture-of-the-season excitement and new-signing thrill. We’ll be off soon, but just before kick-off, there’s a moment of applause in memory of former Arsenal director and board member Richard Carr, who died recently.
Ebere Eze, Arsenal’s new number 10, casually saunters out of the tunnel with his new shirt on. A broad smile then a laugh as he soaks up the love. Quite the ovation. He’s signed too late to feature this evening, but he’ll be available for Arsenal’s trip to Anfield next weekend.
Daniel Farke talks to Sky Sports. “No doubt we are playing one of the best sides … maybe the best side in terms of consistency … we know there will be difficult parts of the game … we must be rock-solid … suffer together … but it won’t be enough to just defend for 90-plus minutes … it’s also important that we have periods when we control the ball … play our game … we stick to our DNA … physicality … good in both boxes … still play football.”
Arsenal announce Eze signing
Some breaking news coming out of the Emirates: Arsenal have just completed the signing of Crystal Palace and England winger Eberechi Eze on a long-term contract.
“We are absolutely delighted to bring Eberechi to Arsenal,” says Mikel Arteta. “He is a powerful and exciting player who will give us a new dimension in our attacking game.
“What stands out just as much as his talent and intelligence as a player, is the way he has worked hard throughout his career to get where he is today. His journey, his mentality, and his ambition are exactly what we want in our team.”
Eberechi will be given the number 10 shirt. He will meet his new team-mates after tonight’s game.
Mikel Arteta speaks to Sky Sports. “We have options … every game we will look at potential advantages we could have … we have resources throughout the game to change things … [15-year-old Max Dowman] has earned the right to be on the bench … you see already the enthusiasm and joy of the fans … we have the chance to create something very important.”
Street art seems to be the order of the day on the bustling avenues that surround the Emirates Stadium. Here we see fans flocking to study minimalist satire Trophy Cabinet (2025, paint on brick). The controversial painting hangs in a location previously reserved for All Roads Lead Home, a Bansky-style mural depicting Eberechi Eze.
“I don’t get it.” Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Meanwhile, stationed outside a nearby pizzeria, this typographical piece contemplates themes of existential angst and unrequited desire. Do you want some chilli oil with your crude sloganeering?
“Yes dear.” Photograph: Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images
Arsenal make two changes to their starting XI after the 1-0 win at Manchester United. Jurriën Timber replaces the injured Ben White in defence, while Noni Madueke comes in for the benched Gabriel Martinelli.
Leeds United also won their opening game 1-0, at home to Everton last Monday. They make one change to their starting line-up, Ilia Gruev replacing their injured captain Ethan Ampadu.
The teams
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Madueke.
Subs: Mosquera, Arrizabalaga, Kiwior, Trossard, Nwaneri, Merino, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Martinelli.
Leeds United: Lucas Perri, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Tanaka, Gruev, Stach, James, Piroe, Gnonto.
Subs: Darlow, Longstaff, Aaronson, Nmecha, Bijol, Okafor, Harrison, Bornauw, Byram.
Referee: Jarred Gillett (Australia).
Preamble
Welcome to a rematch of the 1972 FA Cup final, which Leeds United won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Sniffer Clarke. Leeds fans are advised to keep thinking about that, because more up-to-date data very much does not skew in their favour. In the last 20 years, these two clubs have met 11 times. Arsenal have won nine of the matches, scoring four goals on three separate occasions and 23 overall. Leeds have won none, scoring just seven goals in total. Pull the focus back just one more year, to the 2003-04 season, and we find another three wins for Arsenal: two 4-1s and a 5-0. So throw in Arsenal’s genuine title hopes and newly promoted Leeds’ more modest aims, and everything points to a home banker. But football is football, so you just never know. Kick-off is at 5.30pm UK time. It’s on!
