Premier League Returns After 19-Day Break As Arsenal Face Unbeaten Leeds

Sports Published October 5, 2026 at 2:49 PM Premier League trophy. Key Takeaways The Premier League returns on Saturday, October 10 after a 19-day break, with Arsenal hosting unbeaten Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium.

FIFA merged the September and October international windows into one spell from September 21 to October 6, allowing national teams play up to four matches. Liverpool host league leaders Manchester City on Sunday, October 11, with City winning all five games, while Liverpool sweat on injuries to Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo.

The Premier League returns on Saturday after a 19-day international break, with defending champions Arsenal among the teams looking to resume their campaign on a positive note. The 2026/27 season was paused after Matchweek 5 following FIFA's decision to merge the traditional September and October international windows into one extended period from September 21 to October 6.

The new arrangement allowed national teams to play up to four matches during the window, with Premier League action scheduled to resume on October 10. Arsenal will open Matchweek 6 when they host unbeaten Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners will be looking for a response after suffering a 3-0 defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion in their final match before the break. Leeds, meanwhile, have made an unbeaten return to the top flight under manager Daniel Farke.

They are one of only five teams yet to lose this season and have matched a feat last achieved by the club in the 2001/02 Premier League campaign. Saturday's other fixtures include Aston Villa against Brentford, Chelsea vs Bournemouth, Ipswich Town against Fulham and Sunderland's meeting with Brighton.

Manchester United will host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in the late fixture, with both sides hoping to improve their fortunes after inconsistent starts to the season. The biggest fixture of the weekend comes on Sunday when Liverpool host league leaders Manchester City at Anfield.

City have won all five of their opening matches, while Liverpool have collected nine points. The encounter could also feature two of the league's leading scorers, with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland leading the chart with five goals and Liverpool forward Alexander Isak on four.

Liverpool have injury concerns over Isak and Cody Gakpo following the international break. Isak left the Sweden squad with a thigh problem, while Gakpo returned to Liverpool after suffering an ankle injury while on international duty with the Netherlands.