Arsenal v Leeds Utd Match Thread

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Arsenal v Leeds Utd
Saturday 1st March@15:00hrs | Emirates Stadium

Leeds are the visitors to league leaders Arsenal at the weekend, as Javi Gracia looks to build on his decent start as interim Manager of Yorkshire's finest. Two wins, a draw and a defeat in their last four games has seen them climb to the dizzy heights of 14th, but with just three points separating them from basement club Southampton, he will be desperate to keep their good run going. That will be far from easy, against a club, eight points clear of second placed Manchester City.

With less than two months between now and the end of the season, its fair to assume Tyler Adams season is over. The 24yo went under the surgeons knife earlier this week to repair a grade three hamstring tear. Fortunately, they have a ready made replacement in Weston McKennie, who will play alongside Marc Roca.

Wilfred Gnonto and Max Wober picked up knocks whilst on International duty, both are doubtful for the trip to North London. Jack Harrison should fill in for Gnonto and will be looking for his third goal in as many games. Fit again Liam Cooper is likely to replace Wober. Stuart Dallas and Adam Forshaw remain long term absentees.

After a return to form, Brenden Aarronson and Junior Firpo look set to keep their places, though Greenwood and Struijk should both make the bench.

The Gunners have injury concerns of their own. Mohamed Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu have both recently undergone surgery, and are unlikely to play again this season; whilst William Saliba (back) Thomas Partey (knock), Eddie Nketiah (ankle) and Kieran Tierney (calf) are also likely to sit this one out.

 

[Jammy 07]

Gnonto (ankle) & Wober (hamstring) both out.

Gracia couldn't say how long for as he doesn't know.

 

[DJMarl]

That means we are proper fooked then. Just hope it’s a good showing and not a spanking..fingers crossed..

 

[Leedsoflondon]

Gnonto (ankle) & Wober (hamstring) both out.

Gracia couldn't say how long for as he doesn't know.

****ing international breaks

 

[Doc]

International breaks broke both Phillips and Bamford remember and don’t forget we also saw Cooper come limping home and out of action too from the Jocks and that season imploded. Lets hope this isn’t another repeat.

 

[Eireleeds1]

International breaks broke both Phillips and Bamford remember and don’t forget we also saw Cooper come limping home and out of action too from the Jocks and that season imploded. Lets hope this isn’t another repeat.

Didn't take much to break Bamford. How long was his international career Doc? 1 game Had a look at the predictions thread and mine is certainly looking a bit ambitious over next four games if were without Wober and Willy

 

[wakeybreakyheart]

Didn't take much to break Bamford. How long was his international career Doc? 1 game Had a look at the predictions thread and mine is certainly looking a bit ambitious over next four games if were without Wober and Willy

I was fearing the worst earlier and then i thought we can do this. Cooper can do a job with his experience. We have enough wingers to cover Gnonto and weston and roca can hold the midfield. It's time to use the squad as it's bigger than we had before. Muddling on together.

 

[wakeybreakyheart]

This is not a joke.

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[leeds down south]

This is not a joke.

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A real "I was there" moment when Man City lift the title just a few miles away

 

[Leedsoflondon]

I was fearing the worst earlier and then i thought we can do this. Cooper can do a job with his experience. We have enough wingers to cover Gnonto and weston and roca can hold the midfield. It's time to use the squad as it's bigger than we had before. Muddling on together.

Still, we’ve lost our three most successful signings. You couldn’t make it up.

 

[NostradEmus]

We'll lose this. Just hope it's not too heavy.

The Forest game next Tuesday is the biggest game so far this season. I think if we win that one then Forest are pretty much doomed.

 

[Leedsoflondon]

We'll lose this. Just hope it's not too heavy.

The Forest game next Tuesday is the biggest game so far this season. I think if we win that one then Forest are pretty much doomed.

I’m hoping that the Wober and Gnonto injuries are not too bad and Javi isn’t risking them against Arsenal and targeting three points against Forest

 

[Jammy 07]

I’m hoping that the Wober and Gnonto injuries are not too bad and Javi isn’t risking them against Arsenal and targeting three points against Forest

Reading between the lines I'd say our injured players will need more time and they won't feature next week against Forest or Palace.

Not the best of luck and you could see Gracia was disappointed to lose key players, however he refused to labour the point and will concentrate on those that are available and come up with a game plan to suit both them and to best counter the opposition.

The other thing was he's only focusing on Arsenal and not the run of important games coming up throughout April.

 

[Leedsoflondon]

Reading between the lines I'd say our injured players will need more time and they won't feature next week against Forest or Palace.

Not the best of luck and you could see Gracia was disappointed to lose key players, however he refused to labour the point and will concentrate on those that are available and come up with a game plan to suit both them and to best counter the opposition.

The other thing was he's only focusing on Arsenal and not the run of important games coming up throughout April.

Well thanks for pissing on my parade

 

[ristac]

Tough opponents, away in London, Key injuries, I might need a media blackout until 5pm

 

[stonkin]

Tough opponents, away in London, Key injuries, I might need a media blackout until 5pm

...next Tuesday at least

 

[Jammy 07]

Tough opponents, away in London, Key injuries, I might need a media blackout until 5pm

It will be defensive minded set up with the intention to nick a couple of goals on the break. Hopefully the fans realise this is the only chance of getting something from the game and even then it will probably fail.

Personally I'll be delighted if we can just stay in the game and not throw everything away in the first 15 mins.

Frustrate the hell out of them and because they're going for the title they might just feel the anxiety from the crowd and get a bit twitchy.

Clutching at straws I know but it's all we've got

 

[sniffer1]

I was fearing the worst earlier and then i thought we can do this. Cooper can do a job with his experience. We have enough wingers to cover Gnonto and weston and roca can hold the midfield. It's time to use the squad as it's bigger than we had before. Muddling on together.

No Cooper panicks under pressure best have ayling , stryke , Kristenson, and firpo in back 4 kristenson will keep arsenal out with his height and strength and let's hope the new striker on the video does the job ha ha.

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[wakeybreakyheart]

It will be defensive minded set up with the intention to nick a couple of goals on the break. Hopefully the fans realise this is the only chance of getting something from the game and even then it will probably fail.

Personally I'll be delighted if we can just stay in the game and not throw everything away in the first 15 mins.

Frustrate the hell out of them and because they're going for the title they might just feel the anxiety from the crowd and get a bit twitchy.

Clutching at straws I know but it's all we've got

Twitchy? How very Arsenally.

 

[FORZA LEEDS]

Bamford will probably start to save our best striker Rodrigo for the more winnable games against Forest and Palace. Reckon Harrison on left and Summerville on right, give Sinisterra 20 minutes at the end to continue his progress towards match fitness.

Starting XI:

Meslier
Ayling
Koch
Cooper
Firpo
McKennie
Roca
Aaronson
Summerville
Harrison
Bamford

Important not to get anymore injuries.