Daniel Farke has decided to field Ilia Gruev in defensive midfield amid the absence of Ethan Ampadu for Leeds United's Premier League trip to Arsenal this evening.
The Whites captain will be out for at least the next three games with a knee injury sustained against Everton on Monday. Farke believes he has a multitude of options he could use in his wake, but has today decided to pick Gruev in the role, with Leeds set to be out of possession for long periods.
Joining him in midfield is Ao Tanaka and Anton Stach. Behind them is an unchanged backline with Lucas Perri guarded by Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Gabriel Gudmudsson. It means Jaka Bijol, suspended versus Everton, waits for his full competitive Whites debut.
Starting on the left wing is Wilfried Gnonto, though Noah Okafor's inclusion on the bench means he could earn his first outing for United just days after signing. Notably absent from the bench is fellow left winger Largie Ramazani with questions lingering over his future.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin does not make the squad. Farke outlined he needs time to build up his match fitness having not trained all summer upon becoming a free agent and is evidently not yet quite ready.
Instead, Joel Piroe leads the line once more as he hunts for his first Premier League goal. Daniel James retains his place on the right flank.
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Leeds United
Starting XI: Perri; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Tanaka, Gruev, Stach; James, Piroe, Gnonto.
Subs: Darlow, Bijol, Byram, Bornauw, Longstaff, Harrison, Aaronson, Okafor, Nmecha
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