Arsenal at the Emirates is what awaits Leeds United and Daniel Farke this Saturday, the first huge test since the Whites’ return to the Premier League.
A 1-0 win at home to Everton was a deserved and much-needed early victory to ease any fears of Leeds being unable to compete with Premier League sides like the six promoted sides before them.
Up next, though, Leeds face one of the sides that will be hoping to lift the title come May in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who have spent a staggering amount of money this summer and are imminently about to add to it with Eberechi Eze – who thankfully won’t be available to add to his record of three goals and an assist against United in 11 outings.
Most Read on LeedsAllOver
Leeds United team news pre-Arsenal: Ethan Ampadu ruled out, Jaka Bijol available, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin updates
In terms of fresh team news from Elland Road, Ethan Ampadu’s MCL injury was the bad news stemming from the win over Everton, on the receiving end of a terrible late challenge, and while he was able to continue for another 20 minutes, was subbed off and faces a spell on the sidelines.
(REUTERS/Scott Heppell)
Farke confirmed an MCL injury that will see him ruled out of games up until the international break, hopefully back after that in September.
As for positives, Jaka Bijol is back from his suspension that followed him from the Serie A, available at centre-back for his senior debut.
New signings Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor are being integrated since their arrivals, with the former still building up fitness after missing pre-season, while the Swiss wide man could feature in some capacity at the Emirates:
“Yes, it’s at least possible because he was involved with AC Milan in the whole pre-season. He has also featured last season for several minutes, so that means he doesn’t need three or four weeks to build up to a game. Let’s see how the next two days will be and we’ll take a late decision with him but it’s at least possible,” Farke said, via the YEP.
Here, we look at the lineup we predict Farke could name to take on Arsenal…
Goalkeeper: Lucas Perri
Obviously, in goal remains Lucas Perri after starting his Leeds career with a relatively solid clean sheet at home to Everton.
A clean sheet was the perfect start for Leeds United ‘keeper Lucas Perri. (REUTERS/Scott Heppell)
At times, his distribution from his feet was shaky, launching a few long kicks into touch, but he showed incredible accuracy with his one long throw – something we should see often.
In commanding his area, he dealt with Everton’s rare forays into United’s third with relative ease, but he’s going to be put under his biggest test of the season this Saturday against an Arsenal side that have shifted from their free-flowing, sometimes-naive side that walloped Leeds 4-1 in 2023, to being an incredibly organised and set-piece reliant side.
Defence: Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk
A bold change that I could foresee Farke at the very least considering is switching to a back five for obvious reasons.
The absence of Ampadu and the return of Jaka Bijol to availability might go hand-in-hand here, allowing him into the side while not dropping either of Joe Rodon or Pascal Struijk, who were colossal against Everton and equally deserve their chance to stay in the lineup.
Leeds United signing Jaka Bijol hasn’t looked out of place against some of the world’s best. (REUTERS/Lee Smith)
Leeds need brilliant defenders of their penalty area to get a result here, and plenty of height on their side too, which is in abundance with the three centre-backs we’ve got here – another if you want Sebastiaan Bornauw on later in the match.
Midfield and wing-backs: Jayden Bogle, Ao Tanaka, Anton Stach, Gabriel Gudmundsson
At wing-back, Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson could still add sufficient thrust to Leeds in possession, but a centre-back trio helps protect them from being exposed routinely, like Arsenal have done to some of the best full-backs in the world.
The last thing Gudmundsson or Bogle want this Saturday is multiple instances where Bukayo Saka and co have them 1v1 out wide.
Anton Stach announced himself to the Premier League stage incredibly well on his Leeds United debut. (REUTERS/Scott Heppell)
As for the midfield, Anton Stach and Ao Tanaka have already started to gain plaudits from neutrals that knew very little of them last season because they didn’t play in the Premier League, shining against Everton in midfield.
Stach at £17million could prove to be a revolutionary signing alongside Tanaka, and with Ampadu absent, the German will have to provide the same touch tackling, ground coverage and elegance in possession.
The left side of Leeds buildup (Gudmundsson, Stach, Gnonto) oozed class throughout against the Toffees, but their opportunities to do the same will be in short supply tomorrow, though.
Attack: Dan James, Lukas Nmecha, Willy Gnonto
In attack, Leeds are going to need a lot of dynamism to stretch the Arsenal back line whenever possible, which means bringing out Joel Piroe for Monday’s goalscoring debutant Lukas Nmecha.
(Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough)
The German first couple of involvements against Everton suggested he’ll need time to get into the swing of Premier League football, but his confidently finished penalty injected an noticeable amount of confidence into the rest of his play that night: holding the ball well, running the channels, and ultimately seeing out the result with his graft.
That holdup play is needed against Arsenal’s imposing centre-backs, and he needs to be complemented by wingers with speed and cutting edge – Willy Gnonto and Dan James the two that get the nod.
James’ incredible speed could be an issue for whoever Arsenal have at left-back, while Gnonto has already shown his capabilities of playing Premier League football, and what a stage to impress again this weekend.
Full Leeds United predicted XI to face Arsenal:
Do you agree? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!