Merson: international break gives Leeds 'advantage' over Arsenal

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Paul Merson believes Leeds hold a genuine advantage over Arsenal this weekend, with the quick turnaround from the international break potentially leaving Mikel Arteta's side underprepared for Saturday's lunchtime kick-off at Elland Road.

Arsenal made a flying start to their Premier League title defence, winning all four opening matches while conceding just a single goal. That form was interrupted last month by a 3-0 defeat at Brighton, a performance widely described as flat and disjointed. The Gunners currently sit three points behind Manchester City at the top of the table.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Merson pointed to the lack of preparation time as a key factor working in Leeds' favour. 'A lot of players go away in the international break at Arsenal,' Merson said. '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.'

Begovic expects a reaction

Asmir Begovic, speaking alongside Merson in the Sky Sports studio, agreed that the timing suits Daniel Farke's side. '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,' Begovic said. '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.'

However, Begovic also believes the Brighton defeat will have sharpened minds inside the Arsenal camp rather than left them complacent. 'Having seen the last result, I think that's a bit of a wake-up call for Arsenal so I think there won't be any complacency going into this Leeds game,' he added. 'They need to bounce back and I think Mikel Arteta will send that message and he has to send that message to bounce back immediately.'

Leeds unbeaten and confident

Leeds arrive at the game fifth in the table, unbeaten through two wins and three draws so far this season. Arsenal did the double over Farke's side last term, thrashing them 5-0 at the Emirates before a 4-0 win at Elland Road, though Begovic warned that Leeds' strength at set-pieces could make this meeting a different proposition.

Arteta's squad also faces fitness doubts over several key names heading into the weekend, adding further uncertainty to his selection at Elland Road. How Arsenal respond after the international break, both physically and mentally, will go a long way to determining whether they can keep pace with City at the top of the Premier League.