Leeds Utd v Arsenal Match Thread

[Siqu]

Hoping Arsenal may rest players due to Europe either side of this one
I think we will be OK going forward its just their press may catch us out occasionally.
Big prob may be at the back due to our injury list which may effect our ability to change formation/tactics.
But I think this is one of those games none of us will be surprised to lose. But im still excited and hope we pull off something spectacular!!!

[The Subhuman]

Arsenal earned a couple of weeks off in Europe I would think. Next up in the CL are the playoffs and they'll take a couple of weeks I'd think

[Madron]

Well, as a few on here have been moaning about us drawing too much this has to be an all-in for the win.
Win or lose -none of this draw malarky, we have enough of those already.

[Carrick Dave]

According to David Ornstein he’s going to Palace for £45m plus £5m add-ons. Verbal agreement close.

[1964white]

So Leeds are about to shell out £40m on a donkey. Great.

We don't want donkey's at ER.

I can visit nearby Scarborough beach to see the lovely donkeys.

[Carrick Dave]

Looks like Arsenal will be at full strength on Saturday:

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/ ... ri-5494786

[Barlow Boy]

Looks like Arsenal will be at full strength on Saturday:

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/ ... ri-5494786

Good.

Seeing some of the best players on the planet, in the flesh, is what we came up for in the first place

[Cjay]

 on injuries

Jaka will miss the Arsenal game. Progressing in rehab, hope to have him back after Forest. Little chance for Forest.

Will miss Lukas Nmecha, reported during warm up vs Everton had hamstring issue. We hope to have him back vs Forest. Good chance he is back for then.

Gudmundsson has progressed, much better than expected. Not in team training yet but two more days - a little chance he makes it.





Transfers

Our responsiblity to give ourselves the best possible squad for run in. Injuries don't change that. We can allow oursleves to be picky. Wouldn't rule out anything. But don't like to speak too much in public.

Not willing to get too much away before deadline. Potential clubs we may talk with know this and then the price goes up. So no public statements from myself about what we need.

The club know exactly what we need. We are in a very relaxed situation. Happy to have Facundo with us.




Academy


We must remember our cornerstone is our academy. Must give the staff praises. Done a fantastic job. Had Sam Chambers and Alfie Cresswell in last few weeks in training. We have four or five players who have developed a lot. We want to develop our own talents.

That's why we got the feeling when it's time to go out on loan, they do. We won't block the pathway. Never gifts but also a sign that if four or five players are with us of how far they



Arsenal

One of the toughest tasks you can have. Have to Mikel lots of praise. He's developed tem into the most successful sides in Europe. In CL, they have won all eight games. They are the league leaders and in the best position to win the title.

We know we are capable to get points.




Transfer again

What makes this year more challenging is that we are playing on PL level and are in a good position so not easy to find players who improve us. Sometimes you have to take a gamble but sometimes it could cost lots of money. Problem is that everyone knows this, you could pay over price for players - I don't want us to do this. We don't want to risk what we could do in the future. A tricky situation but normally a good sign.




On targeting players

We just want players who are fully depserate and committed to Leeds United. The commitment and desire has to be there.



Players being committed to Leeds

No one has knocked on my door and asked to leave. We don't expect this. I back my players and like my players. Not tempted to let anyone go away.

[Cjay]

The pathway has returned

Nmecha is out

Bijol out

Guds out

[The Subhuman]

If our cornerstone is the academy someone tell them it's crumbling

[The Subhuman]

Darlow
Bogle
Justin
Ampadu
Rodon
Bornauw
Struijk
Gruev
Stach
Aaronson
Calvert Lewin

Perri
Byram
Longstaff
Tanaka
Buonanotte
Piroe
Okafor
Gnonto
Chambers

[Ellandback1]

Leeds United v Arsenal
31st Jan@15:00 | Elland Road

Arsenal will face a very different Leeds side to the one they thrashed 5-0 at the Emirates back in August when they visit Elland Road at the weekend. The hosts personnel may be the same, but with one loss from their last eleven (in all competitions), Leeds have shown incredible guts and determination both on and off the pitch to turn their fortunes around. Historically, Leeds struggle against Arsenal at home, with their last victory coming in November 2000, and an aggregate score of 20-5 in Arsenal's favour over the last six encounters. However, the Gunners are not in the best of form, having gone winless in their last three Premier League games!

In Thursday afternoon's pre-match press conference Leeds United boss Daniel Farke provided a mixed bag of information. As expected Jaka Bijol is set to miss around a month with his thigh injury, while Gabriel Gudmundsson is responding well to treatment, and could return to action against Forest a week on friday. Joe Rodon will continue in the centre of the 3-5-2 setup, with Sebastiaan Bornauw operating to his right. James Justin, who scored on Monday night, is likely to keep his place at left-wing back.

Striker Lucas Nmecha misses out too. The German International, who has already netted five times this season felt an issue with his hamstring before Monday's draw at Everton, which is why Farke left him on the bench. The boss added it is "not a major issue" and he should be back for the following game against Nottingham Forest. Jaidan Bogle played all 90 minites of the 1-1 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium without much trouble, and should keep his place.



On the other hand, Arsenal supremo Mikel Arteta has a relatively clean bill of health, with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber expected to be fit despite minor niggles, and Declan Rice and Mikel Merino returning from suspension. The only potential absentee for the Gunners is 16-year-old Max Dowman, who is nursing an ankle injury. One player who has put himself in contention for a starting spot is Kai Havertz, who impressed with a goal and an assist in a 45-minute cameo on Wednesday night.

With the majority of Arsenal's starters from that game expected to make way for the established first XI, Havertz may be given the opportunity to make his first Premier League start of the season. Overall, this promises to be an intriguing encounter, with Leeds looking to build on their recent momentum and Arsenal seeking to bounce back in style. With West Ham and Nottingham Forest closing the gap, Whites fans will be desperately hoping for a miracle on Saturday.

[malcolmw]

Darlow
Bogle
Justin
Ampadu
Rodon
Bornauw
Struijk
Gruev
Stach
Aaronson
Calvert Lewin

Perri
Byram
Longstaff
Tanaka
Buonanotte
Piroe
Okafor
Gnonto
Chambers

So, same starting 11 as for Everton then. Which makes sense.
My concerns are ...
- Strujik's lack of pace against their speed. But playing a back 3 with wingbacks may actually help with this??
- Aaronson playing up front with DCL. Not his ideal role to me as he's not the supplier to the centre forward we need.
- We must change up in some way. Arsenal just have too much talent right across the pitch to not pick us off if we do same-old, same-old. I hope we see Buonanote well before 70 minutes.

[whiteinfrance]

A comment from their fan's forum:

'Must say, this is not the fixture you want after our recent results.

Their ground is one of the most difficult to go to out of the lower teams (or the PL in general right now tbh).

And let’s be real we struggle with these kind of aggressive loud physical games to lower sides even when we are on form.'

[Johnthewhite]

Arsenal were flying into Leeds/Bradford this afternoon, however they had to divert into Stansted due to heavy fog.
Coming up in a coach now.
What a shame

[Barlow Boy]

Arsenal were flying into Leeds/Bradford this afternoon, however they had to divert into Stansted due to heavy fog.
Coming up in a coach now.
What a shame

Every little helps

[Johnthewhite]

Every little helps

It does indeed

[Clitheroe White]

Arsenal were flying into Leeds/Bradford this afternoon, however they had to divert into Stansted due to heavy fog.
Coming up in a coach now.
What a shame

Why on earth didn’t they land a bit closer. Diverting to Stansted is basically going home.

[Clitheroe White]

A comment from their fan's forum:

'Must say, this is not the fixture you want after our recent results.

Their ground is one of the most difficult to go to out of the lower teams (or the PL in general right now tbh).

And let’s be real we struggle with these kind of aggressive loud physical games to lower sides even when we are on form.'

Hmm. Im not sure I like their attitude : lower team, loud, aggressive, physical. Stereotypes bingo coming out.

Next thing we will be called “northern” like it’s a level of below them.

So let’s prove them right and totally stick it to them, and then top it off with a goal of the season (another 11 player touch goal!).

[whiteinfrance]

I heard a few of their players already ruled out with hypothermia !

It's Grim up north!