Arsenal v Leeds Utd Match Thread. The Debrief Live at 7pm this evening.

[Ellandback1]

Sunday 8th May 14:00 | Emirates Stadium


Leeds travel down to the Emirates on Sunday lunchtime, desperately hoping to reverse a run of bad form that has lasted almost two decades.

It's been 19 years (and a day) since Leeds last won at Arsenal. Goals from Kewell, Harte and Viduka led Peter Reid's men to a narrow 3-2 victory that day; helping them finish their 02/03 campaign, five points clear of the drop zone. Interestingly, West Ham were relegated that season with 42 points; a record they hold for the most points achieved in a 38-game season by a relegated top flight side.

Jesse Marsch's men have 320 minutes of game time left this season, to add to their 34 point tally, but with games against Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford to come, maintaining their Premier League status will be a tall order.

Although Patrick Bamford has returned to training this week, Ben Dinnery's 'Premier injury website' have ruled him out for Sunday's game. Injuries have restricted the 28yo to just seven starts and 560 minutes of game time this season. Unfortunately, Leeds didn't think it was necessary to have more than one goal scoring first team forward, which has seriously hindered their hopes for survival.

There's bad news too for skipper Liam Cooper. The Scottish International limped off the pitch during the warm-up against Manchester City last Saturday. It was later revealed he had 'a weird feeling in his knee'. Various reports suggest he has a 50/50 chance of playing on Sunday, though again, the Premier injury website have ruled him out.

With Stuart Dallas sidelined for the foreseeable future, Jesse Marsch is set to reintroduce Junior Firpo back into the fold. It is though the 25yo poses more of a threat going forward than Struijk, and Hjelde is still out after the cruciate knee ligament injury he picked up in the 3-0 defeat against Everton.

Adam Forshaw, Tyler Roberts and Crysensio Summerville are set to miss the remainder of the season due to respective injuries.

Recent wins against Chelsea, Manchester Utd and West Ham have propelled the Gunners to fourth in the table. They'll be hoping for three points on Sunday which could see them go level on points with Chelsea. They will be without Thomas Partey (thigh) and Kieran Tierney (knee surgery), but Ben White has overcome a knock and looks set to face his former club. Versatile forward Bukayo Saka is also set to return after picking up a minor injury against West Ham.

[mentalcase]

Most I can hope for in this fixture is a point

[Chilli D]

Didn't Hjelde play for the U23's against Arsenal the other day?

[Chilli D]

I think we're going to need Arsenal to have a real off day for us to get anything but as ever I live in hope.
Probably too much to sk for us to have a natural goalscorer ie Gelhardt in the starting line up.

[The Subhuman]

Back to the Marcelo formation I think

Meslier

Ayling - Llorente - Cresswell - Hjelde

Phillips

Raphinha - Klich - Gelhardt - Harrison

Rodrigo

[Kennyb41]

Simple fact is, if we shut up shop we will concede of that i have no doubt.
Their current style of play is there for the taking if we get it right, and that's catching them on the break, he needs to be brave again,
and going with the Citeh style won't be far off.

We could try and lock them out for 90 mins but i don't think it will happen, they will score and it's a gamble.

The best gamble because it involves trying to get all 3 points, is above because i think we're staring at losing anyway, the same applies to the Chelski game, then re access the situation all around us because BHA and Brentford are winnable.

[Kennyb41]

I agree faaip with that 4-1-4-1 but feel it would require Bert in charge, although the players could probably do it themselves if Jesse shut up, but that system when failing needs immediate attention like Bert did on occasions taking KP off etc, it's too much of a risk.

There was something to be seen v Citeh and that 5 at the back, it might work v the Arse, we're probably gonna lose anyway but i think what i saw v Citeh gives some hope.

[Kennyb41]

Now let's say we get hammered 3-0 and 4-1 in next 2 games, in hindsight we should've parked the bus and stuck 11 behind the ball, because you just never know we could've drew 0-0 and got a precious point, that's what the numpties would say.

But it's true innit.

[The Subhuman]

Always play to win or just don't bother turning up....

[Jaydog]

Now let's say we get hammered 3-0 and 4-1 in next 2 games, in hindsight we should've parked the bus and stuck 11 behind the ball, because you just never know we could've drew 0-0 and got a precious point, that's what the numpties would say.

But it's true innit.

Nah, f**k that. Go down with a bang not a whimper. We already went toe to toe with Chelski once. Yes we lost but we were just about their equal. I’d have a go at Arse, playing for a point is pointless. Excuse the pun

[Kennyb41]

Way to go Dog !!! but shhhhh we wanna keep GD down with all our gash players.

[Kennyb41]

Yep i'd have a go as well, but it's a fine line getting the best defending out of our crap, and they defend better when they don't have to.

So go get em Floyd.

[Jaydog]

Great symmetry to our home/away form. Near enough identical bar GD. Fascinating but true.
Last 8 games - Us 11pts / Arse 12pts. So current form similar
No clean sheet @ Arse since 1993. Only ever dirty sheets at Arse.
Arse lost 3 in a row in April. Soton, Bright & Palace. Gives a smidge of hope.

[William]

Formation and approach is irrelevant without having a tip on the point of the lance.

Joffy if fit or Greenwood to hold up the ball and give the rest a break from running around like lost chickens.

[Changnoy]

Based on personnel available, i'd go with:

Meslier

Koch Llorente Struijk

Ayling Phillipps James/Harrison

Raphinha Rodders Joffy Harrison/James




I've always liked a 3 at the back setup..with a couple of box2box Wingbacks.
Ayling suits that role..and he is wasted at CB imo..he also works well with Raph when in posession.
I have no faith in Firpo at all atm..and so due to a lack of options would go with either James or Jack on the other side. I chose James first as i think his overall pace can be utilised as a Wingback. Although Jack would be ok if James was wanted as a quick breaking option.
I dont like Koch in midfield..so have him right of centre..Llorente as No1 CB and told to be the lynchpin....no mad runs upfield. Ideally i would put Cresswell there and Llorente out RCB....but maybe too much to expect in this game. Struijk has proven himself all across the back.
KP picks himself....and unfortunately we dont have a like for player with Forshaw out. I believe Klich isnt an option there..in practice and by his own choice.
Raph picks himself. And the left wing is interchangeable as said.
Hopefully Rodders is awake..and JM loves him..otherwise Greenwood. Joffy has to play. All 3 of those have to track back and help KP when defending..otherwise we could be overrun in midfield.
Imo this team can defend competently..but is really set up as our best throw the kitchen sink at them in attack.
This selection can revert to a back 4..or even a back 5 if necessary.

As someone pointed out....the world and his mate has us losing this....so fukit....go for broke.

[Ellandback1]

Have we progressed under Marsh?

[WhiteRose]

Despite some poor results through this season Arsenal have generally been decent against teams around the bottom of the table. losing to Everton and drawing with Burnley then winning the rest - there are some glimmers of hope, the aforementioned Everton and Burnley games, losing to Southampton and palace away and Brighton at home but anyone hoping for a poor performance from Arsenal is kidding themselves. We have lost twice to them already this season. It’s an almost inconceivable chance we win and a very slim hope of a draw - realistically we lose, probably heavily. But 2 home games from last 3 still keeps us in the hunt as well as relying on what happens elsewhere. Burnley and Everton win though and all hope is lost.

[1964white]

Have we progressed under Marsh?


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Interesting, Matt.

[John in Louisiana]

Have we progressed under Marsh?


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The team earned half as many points in the last eight games as they earned in the first twenty-six but haven't picked up any ground.

It's almost as if the teams around us don't want to be relegated.

[whiteswan]

I didn't expect the resurgence of Burnley! Not sure anyone did.....