Paul Merson highlights one 'advantage' Leeds will have over Arsenal ahead of Premier League encounter

Former Arsenal and England international Paul Merson has claimed Leeds will have the edge over Arsenal ahead of their Premier League clash. The Premier League returns after an extended international break; Arsenal will take on Leeds on Saturday (October 10) at UK lunchtime.

The Gunners started their PL defence with a bang, winning all 4 of their opening league encounters. After a great start, Arsenal fell to a shock 3-0 loss against Brighton just before the international break.

Mikel Arteta's men will look to move past the loss when they take on Leeds at the Emirates. Previewing the clash, Paul Merson claimed Leeds will have a slight advantage over the North London club.

He said that the rapid turnaround from international back to club football for many of the Gunners' stars could be disadvantageous to them. He said on Sky Sports News (via Metro UK ): "A lot of players go away in the international break at Arsenal.

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 12:30 pm 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 12:30 pm."

The Gunners are also struggling injury-wise.

Heading into the weekend clash, there are doubts regarding the fitness of multiple first-team stars like Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and more. Mikel Arteta 's men are currently in second place in the Premier League table behind leaders Manchester City.

They have accumulated 12 points in 5 games. Following their clash against Leeds, the Gunners will return to UEFA Champions League action where they'll take on French side LOSC Lille.

Mikel Arteta says he 'still has the scar' from Arsenal's UCL loss to PSG Gunners gaffer Mikel Arteta has claimed he still has a 'scar' from their loss to PSG in the UCL final last season. Speaking after signing a new contract with the Gunners, Arteta said (via ESPN): "I still have the scar, like Arsène says.

I still have that poison in my veins."