Exclusive, Ilia Gruev (Leeds): "Arsenal? Difficult but not impossible, we want to keep our unbeaten run going!" And Bulgarian star discusses floodlights myth, starting place and 'Bulgarian hero' label

By Alessandro Schiavone at Stade de Luxembourg

Arsenal face a daunting task on Saturday when Leeds United visit the Emirates Stadium after the three-week international break.

That is because, unlike Arsenal, Daniel Farke’s men have yet to lose a game in the Premier League this season after five outings.

Add to that the return of fit-again midfielder Ilia Gruev and it’s easy to see why Mikel Arteta’s side will have to play to their strengths to make it six consecutive Premier League home wins against the 1992 English champions.

The last time the Yorkshiremen stunned Arsenal on their patch in the league was during their early 2000s apogee.

That day in May 2003, Harry Kewell, Ian Harte and Mark Viduka combined to devastating effect to inflict a 3-2 defeat on Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and company.

That was Arsenal’s LAST defeat before they embarked on an incredible 49-game unbeaten run.

Yet Gruev, who has played 325 minutes for his country in the Nations League spread over four games, is bullish about his side’s chances of keeping their unbeaten streak going away to the champions.

He exclusively told Capital Football: “We have two difficult games coming up now against Arsenal away, then we have Man United at home.

“But we want to keep going and are in no mood for our run to end.

“We’re doing well and take it game by game, giving everything we have.”

The ex-Werder Bremen ace is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and was an unused substitute against Crystal Palace after missing the first four games through injury.

Gruev, 26, said: “It’s great being back and I am happy to be fit again.

“For me, it’s important after dealing with such a difficult injury.

“I am happy to be back and to have clocked up minutes with the national team.

“Let’s see what happens.”

Asked whether it’s the ideal moment to face Arsenal after their Brighton thumping, he said: “It’s always difficult against them.

“On top of it, they will be brimming with motivation to get back on track.

“And it comes after a very long international break.

“So let’s see… but we approach this game with great focus.

“But at Arsenal it’s such a tough game, we all know that.”

With Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach and Ao Tanaka all in fine form, German-born Gruev will have his work cut out to regain his place in the starting XI.

But he’s prepared to do just that ahead of potentially locking horns with Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes and Myles Lewis-Skelly in Holloway Road.

He said: “Of course, my target is to play, but the lads have been doing it really well, as the team’s amazing results reflect.

“The most important thing is that the team keeps thriving.”

Yet if Leeds are a force to be reckoned with at home under the floodlights, having not lost after 5pm in 23 games, this one will take place on Saturday lunchtime in the capital, presumably under the sun.

Gruev grinned: “At Elland Road there is a magical atmosphere under the floodlights!

“The floodlights do something with us… and we want to exploit the positive atmosphere Elland Road generates at night.

“We want to keep racking up the points as we’ve been doing until now.

"But also during the day we can hold our own and when all is said and done, nothing is impossible in football.

"That includes the game against Arsenal.”

Gruev is the only Bulgarian player currently plying his trade in the world’s best league, which makes him an instant hero among his international teammates, with a big chunk of them playing in the unheralded Bulgarian league.

But Gruev said: “I hope to help the team and pass on as much as I can thanks to the experience I have from the Premier League.

“I know that the lads watch a lot of Premier League, so I hope I can give them something.

“I hope I can continue like this.”

The exclusive interview took place in the mixed zone after Bulgaria’s 2-0 win over Luxembourg at the Stade de Luxembourg.