Leeds face Arsenal test, City get Rodri boost ahead of Spurs clash

Leeds United enjoyed a triumphant return to the Premier League with a home victory over Everton at Elland Road this week, but Saturday’s trip to north London to face Arsenal could prove a reality check for Daniel Farke’s side.

Their clash at Arsenal is one of several intriguing fixtures on the second weekend of the top-flight season.

Manchester City will aim to build early momentum as they face Tottenham Hotspur at home on Saturday while champions Liverpool travel to Newcastle United in the final offering on Monday.

City will have Ballon d’Or winner Rodri back in the squad when they host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, according to manager Pep Guardiola, who is hoping the midfielder can stay fit after missing most of last season with a knee injury.

The Spaniard missed City’s 4-0 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers on opening weekend as he was not fully fit after injuring his groin at the Club World Cup in July.

“I just want a consistent Rodri, that’s all,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday. “I don’t have any doubts about his potential or quality. Still, so far, is the best player in the world. The consistency will come with training and games, training and games, week after week - and after that, everything will be fine.”

Phil Foden also returns to the squad after sitting out against Wolves with an ankle injury, with Guardiola saying just Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol and Savinho remain out with injuries.

When asked if summer signing James Trafford will start again in goal amid rumours that Ederson is on the move to Turkish club Galatasaray, Guardiola kept his cards close to his chest.

“We will decide tomorrow or tonight after dinner. I am happy with him, the new players always bring a new energy and James brings his youth and desire to play for the club he grew up at,” Guardiola said of Trafford, who was excellent in his Premier League debut last weekend.

“I said many times it was just his first game, we just have to be consistent and we have to be better and improve.”

City defender Ruben Dias also signed a two-year extension to his contract on Friday, keeping the Portuguese international at the Etihad until 2029.

“I am incredibly happy. City are where I want to be -- at the top of the sport, competing for trophies,” said 28-year-old Dias, who joined the club from Benfica in 2020.

“The club’s ambition aligns perfectly with mine and as a footballer there is nothing better than that. “I love Manchester -- it is my home now -- and I love the Manchester City fans.

“When I think about the trophies we have won and the way we have played our football during my time here, I couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else.”

It says something about the standards expected of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal when a 1-0 win at Manchester United was greeted with negativity.

They banked three points despite new big-money striker Viktor Gyokeres failing to manage a shot on target and the team’s xG (expected goals) of 0.28 being third-lowest on the opening weekend.

More will be expected on Saturday from their attack, and Gyokeres in particular, as Arsenal seek to extend a remarkable 42-match unbeaten run at home against promoted clubs.

They have won 37 and drawn five of those with their last loss coming against Newcastle United in November 2010.

Avoiding defeat will match Chelsea’s unbeaten run against promoted teams from 2001-2015, but that will not be playing on the mind of Arteta, who has bigger fish to fry this campaign, chiefly ending a five-season trophy drought.

Leeds have lost their last six meetings with Arsenal, but will arrive in buoyant mood even if it is hard to make a case for them winning their opening two games in a top-flight campaign for the first time since 2002.

While Leeds continued their summer spending by signing forward Noah Okafor from AC Milan on Thursday, Arsenal’s splurge shows no sign of ending with Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze set to become their fourth marquee acquisition after Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke.

Agencies