Arsenal v Leeds Utd Match Thread - Jamie Shackleton replaces the injured Kalvin Phillips

[Ellandback1]

Sunday 14th February 16.30pm | Emirates Stadium


Having won three out of their last 4 league matches, a confident Leeds squad will be travelling down to the Emirates Stadium hoping they can break heir London voodoo. The Whites have not won in London since dispatching QPR at Loftus Road in December 2017. Due to their recent revival, Bielsa's lads have climbed a point clear of the Gunners in 10th place, on 32 points. Arsenal have lost their last two league games and will be desperate to avoid a third defeat on the bounce. Their recent form has left them in 11th position in the table, one point behind 10th placed Leeds ahead of this weekend's contest. Last time the two sides met at Elland Road back in November it was a nil nil draw despite Arsenal going down to ten men. Nicolas Pépé was sent off having clashed heads with Ezgjan Alioski.

Arsenal will be without both Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey for this weekend's Premier League clash with Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium. Tierney has missed his side's last four league matches with a calf strain, and a statement on the London club's official website revealed that the Scotland international would again be absent against the Whites. Partey, meanwhile, was forced off against Aston Villa last weekend with a hamstring problem, and the summer arrival from Atletico Madrid will not be available to take on Marcelo Bielsa's side. David Luiz and Bernd Leno both return from suspensions and Gianni Alioski’s best friend Nicolas Pépé is also available. Leeds United cult hero Emile Smith Rowe has been Arsenal’s break out star since Christmas in an otherwise lacklustre Gunners side.

Leeds and England ace Kalvin Philips will miss the trip to North London after the 24 year old picked up a calf strain during their 2-0 win against Crystal Palace. He will be replaced in the Leeds starting line-up by Jamie Shackleton. Bielsa has indicated that Struijk will play defensive midfield, Luke Ayling will move to the centre of defence whilst Shackelton will play right back. Diego Llorente and Rodrigo remain unavaialbe and we still wait a date for the return of Berardi who started first team training again this week. Pablo Hernandez returns to the bench alongside youngsters Joe Gelhardt, Jack Jenkins and Niall Huggins.

The Whites go into the game having tasted victory in their last two away matches, a 2-1 success against Newcastle United which was followed up by an impressive 3-1 win against high-flying Leicester. Those victories mean that Bielsa’s side have won six out of their 11 matches on the road during their first season back in the Premier League. Arsenal have struggled on home turf this season. From their 11 matches, they have only recorded four wins, with three draws and four losses in their other seven fixtures. Mikel Arteta’s side have overcome their troubles from the start of the season. Prior to back-to-back losses in their last two matches, the Gunners had been on a seven match unbeaten run, winning five.


Leeds Starting XI
Meslier, Ayling, Cooper, Struijk, Alioski, Harrison, Shackleton, Klich, Dallas, Raphinha, Bamford

Subs: Casilla, Roberts, Costa, Hernandez, Davis, Gelhardt, Jenkins, Huggins

[Smudge3920]

Couple of things we need to change ...The challenge

1. Gooners are undedeated in their last 5 home games.
2. Gooners have kept a clean sheet at home in their last 3 games.

[Carrick Dave]

Back in harness already Matt.

[Lorimer46]

Unbeaten records are there to be smashed, hopefully we can end the Gooners unbeaten run and end our hoodoo at the same time, this weekend seems as good a time as any to get that particular monkey off our backs , it would be a lovely valentines gift to the fans

[HarryofOz]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh Marcello Bielsa, he plays BielsaBall
A style that fills us up with pride, and has us standing tall
Our attack is relentless, we press determinedly
And when we win the Premier league
It''ll be down to MB

[hector]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh Marcello Bielsa, he plays BielsaBall
A style that fills us up with pride, and has us standing tall
Our attack is relentless, we press determinedly
And when we win the Premier league
It''ll be down to MB

Gonna take a wild guess here H


song writing is not your primary job is it??

[HarryofOz]

Gonna take a wild guess here H


song writing is not your primary job is it??

You just don't appreciate talent when you see it

[hector]

You just don't appreciate talent when you see it

The trouble is H.....

I do

[HarryofOz]

The trouble is H.....

I do

[Peter in Blackpool]

Unbeaten records are there to be smashed, hopefully we can end the Gooners unbeaten run and end our hoodoo at the same time, this weekend seems as good a time as any to get that particular monkey off our backs , it would be a lovely valentines gift to the fans

If we play with the sense we showed against the palace I really think this time we will be breaking our jinx. Lets keep the gung hoing off the agenda.

[1964white]

Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds travel to north London on Sunday to face Arsenal and the Argentine boss had an injury update on Kalvin Phillips.

The England midfielder will be assessed after being forced off in the closing stages of Monday's home win against Crystal Palace due to a calf injury.

"There's not a definite decision at the moment whether he will be able to play or not," said Bielsa. "For the moment, no player comes back and Kalvin remains a doubt."

[1964white]

This is the problem we have when you play with such a small squad with absolutely no decent cover whatsoever!

[Leeds1000]

No Phillips? Will we see Jenkins step up? Time for Tucker to do his stuff. No more tinkering lets see what this kid has got.

[Fridge]

No Phillips? Will we see Jenkins step up? Time for Tucker to do his stuff. No more tinkering lets see what this kid has got.

Not the game to be blooding youngsters imo.

Tbf I could see Dallas doing a decent job there with someone like Shacks taking his place at CM.

Dallas can play anywhere.

[lufc1304]

Arsenal are, to an extent, there for the taking, having lost two on the bounce and had their confidence knocked. But it would be foolish to see this game as a gimme, as they have a lot of fine players to call on, despite the reported injuries. A draw wouldn't be a bad result, certainly given how we can't seem to win in London, but all 3 points would be lovely. Dallas for KP if he isn't fit, with Shacks coming in as Fridge has suggested above. Young Jenkins might be decent, but I can't see Bielsa blooding him in this game.

[Smudge3920]

Well tis what it tis...if Kalvin is crock, no point dropping our heads that will achieve nothing...I hope he leaves Struijk where he is best now, let Dallas have it and Shacks alongside Klitch... if MB decides to blood one of the U23s he has my support all the way...

[gessa]

Interesting thoughts of Arteta:

"They are a really brave, dynamic and attacking side. I think they are a really exciting side, a great coach, great coaching staff who are all involved and a bunch of players who believe 100 per cent in what they do and they just go in every game with the same energy and enthusiasm to get the points. I think they deserve more points than they have in the table at the moment.

"When you look at a lot of the game they've lost and how they've lost them, it's pretty incredible as well. Maybe they haven't deserved those defeats. They've been really punished on set-pieces as well, which is one key area there. But overall what they've produced in open-play compared to the opponent, it's difficult to see games where they have produced less than the opponent."

[Smudge3920]

Interesting thoughts of Arteta:

"They are a really brave, dynamic and attacking side. I think they are a really exciting side, a great coach, great coaching staff who are all involved and a bunch of players who believe 100 per cent in what they do and they just go in every game with the same energy and enthusiasm to get the points. I think they deserve more points than they have in the table at the moment.

"When you look at a lot of the game they've lost and how they've lost them, it's pretty incredible as well. Maybe they haven't deserved those defeats. They've been really punished on set-pieces as well, which is one key area there. But overall what they've produced in open-play compared to the opponent, it's difficult to see games where they have produced less than the opponent."

...Never say die attitude

[Irish Ian]

If Kalvin isnt fit what do we do?

Klich to DFM and Shacks as box to box?
Klich to DFM and Pablo in?
A whole back four reshuffle with Ayling in the middle, Struijk DFM and Dallas LWB? Tricky stuff.

Sunday sees the first of 4 matches in 13 days so I hope there are no more injuries or suspensions.

Interestingly the ref is Stuart Atwell who was in charge in our first game against Arsenal. Did he feel conned by Ailioski?
Ailoski has already been talking up the Pepe rematch, so he better watch himself.

[Smudge3920]

Ah the weekly conundrum trying to out guess MB ...Lots of variables, but I hope he does not break up the back 4...let Dallas do Kp role and Shack in box to box... thats my version any whoooo