Paul Merson believes Leeds United could have an advantage over Arsenal when the two sides meet tomorrow. The fixture will be both clubs’ first match back after the international break, and the former Arsenal midfielder believes the timing could make the contest more difficult for Mikel Arteta’s side.Arsenal suffered a disappointing defeat against Brighton before the break, losing their first league match of the season. The result left the Gunners three points behind Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, increasing the importance of their next fixture.Arsenal face pressure to respondThe Gunners will be eager to return to winning ways as they attempt to close the gap on City. They know that allowing their rivals to build momentum could make the title race more difficult, meaning three points against Leeds would be particularly valuable.However, Arsenal face a challenging opponent. Leeds have remained unbeaten in the league since the start of the season, giving them confidence ahead of the meeting. Their form suggests they could make life difficult for the visitors, especially if Arsenal struggle to find their rhythm after the international break.Merson believes the short preparation period could work in Leeds’ favour. With several Arsenal players travelling to represent their countries, Arteta may have had limited time to prepare his full squad for the match.(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Merson explains Leeds’ advantageSpeaking via the Metro, Merson highlighted the difficulties Arsenal could face because of the timing of the fixture and the limited time available to work with returning international players.‘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 12:30pm 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.’Merson’s argument is that Leeds could benefit from having less disruption to their preparations, while Arsenal must bring players back together and quickly prepare for a demanding league fixture.The early kick-off could therefore make the match more difficult for the Gunners, particularly if they need time to regain their usual intensity. Arsenal will still be expected to compete strongly, but Leeds could view the circumstances as an opportunity to challenge their opponents and potentially damage their title ambitions._____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…More Stories / Latest NewsDoes Leeds United have an advantage over Arsenal?9 October 2026, 17:00Arsenal makes contact to sign Bayer Leverkusen youngster9 October 2026, 16:00‘It’s an honour” National team manager can’t speak highly enough of Arsenal star9 October 2026, 15:00The post Does Leeds United have an advantage over Arsenal? appeared first on Just Arsenal News.