Leeds winger James: Gunners clash belief 'definitely there'

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Daniel James has made clear that Leeds United's dressing room believes they can beat Arsenal this weekend, with the West Yorkshire side sitting among just five Premier League teams yet to lose this season.

Arsenal arrive at the match looking to bounce back after a defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium just before the international break, a result that dented Mikel Arteta's hopes of defending the Premier League title. Daniel Farke's Leeds, meanwhile, were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace at Elland Road before the break, a result that kept them in the top five of the table.

A win for Arsenal would draw them level with Manchester City at the top of the division, at least until City face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday evening. It would also make the Gunners the first side to beat Leeds in the Premier League this season.

Leeds haven't beaten Arsenal since 2003

History is firmly on Arsenal's side heading into the fixture. Leeds have not beaten the Gunners in any competition since May 2003, when Mark Viduka scored a late winner in a 3-2 victory at Highbury. That drought stretches back well over two decades.

Despite that record, James insists there is genuine optimism within the Leeds squad. Speaking to LUTV, as reported by football.london, he said: “A team like Arsenal, who have done so well over previous years, we haven’t had great results against them, but that is something that we want to challenge ourselves to [change].”

“They are a great team. It is going to be a really, really tough game, but we all know that as players, it is up to us to go and perform on the day. The belief is definitely there.”

“In this league, anyone can beat anyone on the day, and that is up to us. We know what we have to perform to our max. We can’t be any less than that. If we are performing at that level, then there is always a chance.”