If it weren't for the freezing cold conditions, Mikel Arteta could well have joined many fans at home in sliding into a slumber as Arsenal played out a tepid 1-0 win against Bodo/Glimt, but the Spaniard was still keen to take the positives from the game.
"We are really happy to win here against a team who have won their last 14 games in European competition in a row," he said in his post-match press conference. "They deserve a lot of credit for that. Not many teams do that. We have come here as number 15 and won it. We talked about it in the last few days and that was the challenged in different conditions, in different context, making a lot of changes find a way to win. We’ve done it."
Having kept spirits high though Arteta now faces a potentially tricky test in a trip to a Leeds side who can't be underestimated. Chelsea's 3-0 defeat at Elland Road earlier this season shows what Jesse Marsch's side are capable of and a strong side will be required to get all three points.
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That means a return for Aaron Ramsdale in goal. Matt Turner drew plaudits from some for his display in the Arctic Circle, but after the game the questions about his ability to offer Arsenal control of matches remained. Ramsdale's return against this Leeds side that still maintain many of Marcelo Bielsa 's high pressing principles will be key for that.
Ben White will be all too wary of that upon his return to a ground where he spent a season that put him on the map when it came to being among the best ball playing defenders in England. He has gone to another level still since moving to right back and with injuries to Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James he surely play his way into a plane ticket for Qatar if he sustains his current form.
William Saliba will continue at the back despite Arteta admitting that he wouldn't be able to train much before Sunday's match, while alongside him Gabriel will be looking to silence a few doubters who have raised their heads above the parapet after his display against Liverpool. At left back though the decision becomes far more complicated.
After Arteta confirmed to football.london that he thinks Oleksandr Zinchenko could be in contention for Sunday's match the Spaniard now has three options to choose from. Kieran Tierney was willing to accept being dropped for Takehiro Tomiyasu for the specific tactical threat Liverpool offered, but if he's overlooked again in favour of the out of position Japan international or not fully fit Zinchenko he will have every right to be frustrated. The Scot could be excellent at exploiting the spaces left in behind the high pressing Leeds side, and could just get the nod ahead of his competitors.
Thomas Partey will start in front of him, while Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard should all be in contention despite all featuring in midweek against Bodo/Glimt.
Up front Gabriel Jesus does appear to be a doubt after missing the trip to Norway following "some discomfort" sustained against Liverpool. The Brazilian is so crucial that you wonder if using him in the short-term might be too big a risk in the long-term, but given his record this season, Arteta will surely start him on the proviso that he's fit. Jesus may require a bit of extra assistance from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli who will both look to replicate their outstanding displays against Liverpool either side of him.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Leeds - Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
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