Ilie Gruev has started the last five games but perhaps it is time for a change
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
07:30, 30 Jan 2026
Ilia Gruev has performed well in the main, aside from his last outing
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Ilia Gruev has performed well in the main, aside from his last outing(Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Perhaps the biggest question mark heading into Leeds United’s clash with Arsenal is how the midfield and the attack will line up at home to a title challenger.
It is almost certain Daniel Farke will start in his usual 3-5-2 formation, with the back line fairly predictable amid the injury absences of Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jaka Bijol. After his goal at Everton, James Justin will likely start at left-back with Jayden Bogle on the other side.
The middle will see Sebastiaan Bornauw sandwiched between Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk, who are protecting Karl Darlow. But there could be a change in midfield. Ilia Gruev has started the last five games and has been important to United’s central stability.
However, he was a touch off the boil at Everton, picking up a yellow card before being taken off in the first substitution for Ao Tanaka. But the Japan international was not overly tidy himself and was arguably a downgrade on the night.
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So with Sean Longstaff back providing more sure-fire bulk, he could get his first start since late November. Beside him will inevitably be Ethan Ampadu and most likely Anton Stach given, like Longstaff, his deliveries from set pieces are useful.
Brenden Aaronson is in undroppable form. He will perhaps start in his hybrid 10/secondary striker role alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin with Longstaff providing more rigidity in the centre.
At home, he has sometimes been played in midfield but given Arsenal’s power, he could be tasked with dovetailing with Calvert-Lewin, who only needs one more goal to hit double figures for the first time in five years.
That means Facundo Buonanotte will have to wait for his full debut, having made a cameo late on against Everton, making a few touches. Meanwhile, Lukas Nmecha is out with a hamstring setback but Daniel James is in contention to make the squad for the first time since sustaining his hamstring injury in November.
Predicted XI: Darlow; Rodon, Bornauw, Struijk; Bogle, Stach, Ampadu, Longstaff, Justin; Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin.
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