Arsenal will finally get the opportunity to respond to their 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Aston Villa when they face Leeds United at Elland Road in their first match back after the international break on Sunday.

The Gunners have now lost three of their last four Premier League games and have failed to score from open play in that time, leaving them languishing in the bottom half of the table after eight matches.

However, they face a Leeds side also in growing need of points having lost three of their last four as well, including back-to-back 4-1 defeats prior to the international break.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Mikel Arteta could line his side up for the contest.

Out: Thomas Partey (thigh), Mohamed Elneny (coronavirus), Sead Kolasinac (coronavirus), Gabriel Martinelli (knee), Calum Chambers (knee), Pablo Mari (ankle)
Doubtful: Reiss Nelson (knee)

> Click here for Arsenal's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Arteta will be without the two men who had established themselves as his first-choice midfield duo prior to the international break, with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny both unavailable for this match.

Thomas remains sidelined with a thigh problem, while Elneny - along with Sead Kolasinac - tested positive for COVID-19 during the international break and both players must now undergo a period of self-isolation.

Dani Ceballos, who was reportedly involved in a training ground scuffle with David Luiz recently, and Granit Xhaka appear the most likely to fill in in the middle of the park, although Joe Willock is also in contention having impressed when given opportunities in the Europa League this season.

Arsenal's long-term absentees Calum Chambers, Gabriel Martinelli and Pablo Mari are all inching ever closer to returns, while Reiss Nelson should be available this weekend.

Luiz may come back into the starting XI in place of Rob Holding due to his ability on the ball, which could prove important when trying to play around Leeds' high press.

Eddie Nketiah, who spent the first half of last season on loan at Leeds, may have to settle for a place on the bench again on his return to Elland Road, with Alexandre Lacazette set to lead the line.

Willian's availability is a little uncertain after he travelled to Dubai during the international break - a trip which was seemingly not sanctioned by Arsenal and an issue which Arteta insists has now been "dealt with".

Nicolas Pepe could come in for the Brazilian as a result, while on the opposite flank Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be desperate to rediscover his best form having only managed one shot on target - and four shots in total - in his last four league outings.

Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below: