Saturday 18th December 17:30 | Elland Road
Leeds will still be licking their wounds as they prepare for the visit of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal on Saturday afternoon. Back to back defeats against Chelsea and Manchester City have hampered the Whites efforts to create distance between themselves and the bottom three. They currently find themselves five points clear, and two places above 18th place Burnley who have two games in hand over the Whites. They also have a superior goal difference, by eight.
Their quest for points will not have been made any easier as their absentee list has grown throughout the week, an ankle injury to Jamie Shackleton (who hobbled off midway through the first half mauling at the Etihad), Charlie Cresswell getting injured in training injury to Dan James and Diego Llorente isolating has compounded Bielsa's selection dilemna. Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper are long term absentees, whilst Rodrigo, Bamford and Struijk are thought to be on the mend, but unlikely to return to action this weekend. Junior Firpo also picked up his fifth booking of this campaign and will be suspended.
Robin Koch is fit enough to start alongside Luke Ayling. whilst Cody Drameh will start at right back with Stuart Dallas at left back. Fellow youngster Joe Gelhardt starts up front with Tyler Roberts behind. Adam Forshaw and Mateusz Klich complete the centre of midfield with Jack Harrison and Raphinha on the wings.
Arsenal are in fine form, having recorded back to back wins against Southampton and West Ham, and keeping a clean sheet in the process. Aubameyang (disciplinary issues) and Kolasinac (ankle) have been ruled out. Shot stopper Bernd Leno and Emile Smith Rowe will both face late fitness tests after respective groin injuries! Granit Xhaka is fit after overcoming a recent knee ligament injury.
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