The Gunners have registered back-to-back wins in the top-flight, and are currently fourth in the standings.

They have the chance to extend their advantage over their Champions League rivals when they face the Whites.

Leeds are missing several key players due to injuries, and the Gunners should be favourites to pick up another win.

Expected Line-up:

Aaron Ramsdale should be a confirmed starter in goal after a splendid tally of eight clean sheets from 14 league appearances this term.

The defence could remain unchanged. Takehiro Tomiyasu has been a revelation at right-back with his strong defensive resolve and aerial ability.

Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes are nailed-on starters in central defence for the 15th game running with Kieran Tierney in the left-back spot.

Barring any fitness issues, Mikel Arteta should stick with his trusted experienced duo of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey in central midfield.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes have excelled as a pairing in the wide midfield positions. The latter has four goals contributions in five games.

The duo are set to start once again, but Arteta may change things in the number 10 role with Emile Smith Rowe coming in for Martin Odegaard.

Smith Rowe has not started since his groin issue in early December, but made a difference against West Ham with a vital second goal off the bench.

Alexandre Lacazette has relished his captaincy in recent games. He has a goal and an assist in the past two outings, and looks set to lead the line.

How Arsenal could line up against Leeds this evening:

The Gunners recently stripped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the captaincy after his latest disciplinary breach last week.

It has been officially confirmed that he won’t play any part tomorrow. It remains to be seen whether he has a future at the club.

Aside from the Gabon international, the Gunners are set to be without Sead Kolasinac once again after his nasty ankle injury.

The Bosnian suffered the setback on international duty against Finland, and he is unlikely to return to first-team training until the New Year.

Bernd Leno is continuing to nurse a minor groin issue, and he could be doubtful to make the matchday squad for the London derby.

The Gunners have been handed an excellent chance to break into the top four. They have not occupied the position for more than 14 months.

It is a big incentive for them against the Hammers, but they need to turn up with a strong performance as David Moyes’ side are no pushovers.

The east London club are flying high in the fourth position, two points ahead of the Gunners. They have already beaten Liverpool and Chelsea this term.

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Arsenal are prepared to part ways with Alexandre Lacazette next year, 90min claims. The Frenchman has entered the final 10 months of his contract, and there has been no resolution.

Contract talks have completely stalled at the moment and neither the club nor the player are optimistic of negotiating a new deal beyond the current campaign.

Lacazette can sign a pre-contract with an overseas club in January, but reports claim that he could also be sold for a cut-price fee during the next transfer window.

A number of foreign clubs are in the mix, but West Ham and Crystal Palace are also in the mix with suggestions that Lacazette may also prefer to remain in London.

Our view:

The Frenchman has been a quality signing for the Gunners over the years, but he is no longer regarded as a regular starter with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the line.

Aubameyang has played out wide in the past with Lacazette starting up front, but the whole scenario has changed with the emergence of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka.

On top of this, there is also competition from Nicolas Pepe out wide. Hence, Lacazette has barely featured in the Premier League with just 31 minutes of playing time this term.

With the lack of European football, he may not break into the XI barring the Cup competitions. Lacazette appears better served moving on from the north London giants.

However, a mid-season deal may not be on the cards. Aubameyang and Pepe will be leaving for the African Cup of Nations which will leave a huge void to fill up front.

Lacazette may get regular games between January and early February. It could act as a spot window for him to attract from foreign clubs ahead of next summer.

Atletico Madrid are long-term admirers, and they could make a contract offer to him.

Arsenal entertain Chelsea in Sunday’s Premier League derby at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss at Brentford in the opening match day.

They were missing key players due to injuries and COVID-19. The situation has not improved much.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has tested negative for the virus, but his involvement remains uncertain.

The Gunners are underdogs for the upcoming derby despite doing the double over the Blues last term.

How Arsenal could line up against Chelsea

Bernd Leno should have done better against Brentford.

He was beaten at the near post before caught out of position for the Bees’ second goal from a corner.

Despite this, he has been the undisputed pick for the Gunners in goal. He is expected to start.

The Gunners could look to match the Blues’ defensive formation with a back three.

Ben White could be partnered by Rob Holding, who is more accustomed to playing in the formation.

The duo could be accompanied by Kieran Tierney in the back three.

Calum Chambers and Bukayo Saka are likely to feature in the wing-back positions.

Mikel Arteta may stick with Albert Sambi Lokonga and Granit Xhaka in the centre of the park.

He has options in Mohamed Elneny and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, but the latter could leave the club soon.

The attack could comprise of Nicolas Pepe, Aubameyang and Emile Smith Rowe.

Aubameyang may be lacking match sharpness, but we fancy him to make the first XI.

With Alexandre Lacazette sidelined, there is plenty of inexperience with Folarin Balogun and Gabriel Martinelli.

Aubameyang may require a late fitness test. We anticipate him to push for a starting berth up front.

Chelsea make the trip to the Emirates Stadium for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal.

The Blues registered a comfortable 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the opening matchday.

Their recent record in the derby has not been great, but they can be considered favourites for this one.

The Gunners could be without eight players for the game which is a huge blow for them.

The Blues have the chance to beat the Gunners for the first time since December 2019.

How Chelsea could line up against Arsenal

Edouard Mendy is an undisputed choice in goal for the Blues. He is expected to start.

Trevoh Chalobah should keep his place after an excellent league debut with a goal.

Andreas Christensen could make way for Thiago Silva to partner the club graduate and Antonio Rudiger.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso seem certain to feature in the wing-back spots.

N’Golo Kante recently missed the Palace clash with a minor muscle injury.

He has since returned to training and could partner Jorginho in the centre of the park.

Hakim Ziyech is also available for selection after making a quick recover after a should dislocation.

However, he may have to settle for a bench role in the London derby.

We are fancying Romelu Lukaku to make his second debut up front alongside Timo Werner.

Kai Havertz could take up the creative attacking midfield position behind the duo.

Arsenal could be without seven first-team stars for the Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday.

The Gunners made a disappointing start to their campaign with a 2-0 loss at Brentford last week.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were surprise absentees as they were unwell.

The club have now revealed that they had tested positive for COVID-19.

Aside from the duo, Alex Runarsson and Willian were also affected by the virus.

Among the quartet, Lacazette and Runarsson won’t feature this weekend as they have not tested negative.

Aubameyang and Willian are still doubtful, and will be assessed ahead of the London derby.

Elsewhere, Gabriel Magalhaes (knee), Thomas Partey and Eddie Nketiah (both ankle) are ruled out.

The Gunners will be playing in front of their home supporters, but they are far from full strength.

Mikel Arteta will be hoping that Aubameyang can return to the mix and make the starting line-up.

The club have recently signed Martin Odegaard, but he may not be registered for the game.

He has completed all the necessary formalities, but still need to receive his work permit.

The same may not be the case for another new signing in goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

He could make the bench against the Blues, provided he is registered by Friday midday.

Arsenal appear set to announce the signings of Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale ahead of the Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday.

Odegaard has been the Gunners’ main target for the creative midfield role, and they recently agreed a deal worth 34 million pounds with Real Madrid.

The Norwegian has since travelled to London for a medical, and Fabrizio Romano claims that he could be announced as a new player in the coming hours.

Meanwhile, the Gunners have also sealed a deal for Ramsdale following weeks of negotiations with Sheffield United.

Sheffield were initially reluctant to accept anything less than 40 million pounds for their academy graduate.

It appeared that the Gunners had ended negotiations before the Blades lowered their demands.

As per David Ornstein, the Gunners will pay 24 million pounds upfront for the shot-stopper.

The deal could rise to 30 million pounds, but that is dependent on Ramsdale becoming the number one.

Both Odegaard and Ramsdale could make the matchday squad for Sunday’s league game against Chelsea.

Odegaard could make his debut in the London derby with the Gunners in need of more creativity.

The 22-year-old improved the club’s displays earlier this year on loan with his intelligent distribution.

Arsenal are on the cusp of landing Martin Odegaard on a permanent basis from Real Madrid, The Athletic reports.

The Norwegian spent the back end of last season on loan with the Gunners, bagging two goals and two assists.

He was not a regular on the scoresheet, but was the best chance creator in the squad.

Mikel Arteta had urged the hierarchy to prioritise a permanent deal for Odegaard.

The club are now on the verge of finalising his transfer from the 13-time European champions.

It was initially suggested that he could cost as much as €50m plus Madrid may want a buy-back clause.

However, the actual fee will be around €35m, and there are no additional clauses involved.

He is set to become the club’s fourth summer acquisition after Nuno Tavares, Albert Lokonga and Ben White.

Having been in a sports bubble, he won’t need to quarantine and could be registered in time to face Chelsea.

The Gunners started their season in a poor fashion with a 2-0 loss at Brentford.

They face back-to-back games against Chelsea and Manchester City before the international break.

Chelsea will push to sign €80m star in the next few days – Fabrizio Romano

Arsenal have agreed a fresh contract with midfielder Granit Xhaka on an increased salary, Fabrizio Romano claims.

Xhaka was heavily touted to leave for Roma earlier this summer, but the Serie A side failed to meet the price tag.

Mikel Arteta recently confirmed the Swiss will be staying, and the midfielder has now agreed a new deal.

Xhaka’s previous £100,000-a-week deal was due to expire in June 2023.

The 28-year-old has now penned a new contact until June 2024 with an option for 12 months.

Meanwhile, the Gunners are actively working to re-sign Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid.

They are awaiting the green light from Los Blancos to make a formal bid.

The Norwegian is free to leave Madrid as he does not feature prominently in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.

It was previously claimed that he could cost a fee of around £50m.

However, with less than two years left on his contract, Odegaard could be prised away for just £34m.

Odegaard spent the back end of last season with the Gunners, bagging two goals and two assists from 20 games.

He has remained Mikel Arteta’s prime target for the creative midfield role despite regular James Maddison links.

Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho in a swap deal for either Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette.

Aubameyang and Lacazette have recently been linked with summer exits, and Spanish journalist Alex Rodriguez claims that one of them could move to Barca.

The Catalan giants are keen to offload Philippe Coutinho due to his hefty wages. They also want to avoid playing him as they would trigger another payment to Liverpool.

Coutinho has turned out 90 times for the club. They will owe the Reds another €20 million if he goes on to make a century of appearances for them.

A return to the Premier League appears the likely destination for Coutinho, but he will have to take a significant pay cut on his wages to secure a permanent move.

The Blaugrana are keen on landing Aubameyang or Lacazette and they will attempt to include Coutinho in a straight-exchange deal as they can’t afford a fee.

It is unclear whether the Gunners will consider the proposal, but it is reported that any move for Coutinho won’t prevent Martin Odegaard from rejoining the club.

The north London giants are favourites to re-sign the Norwegian, who was on loan earlier this year. They could land him on another loan deal with a €35m buy option.

Coutinho, who won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2019/20, was left of the Barcelona squad for the season opener to sort out a move elsewhere.

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