Hopefully we will be able to select the same 11 that started the game against Palace. Phillips is the obvious doubt and we will probably hear more about that tomorrow during Bielsa's press conference. We should hear something about whether Pablo will be fit or not too. Phillips obviously the biggest concern.
Not sure how what we will do to fill the void if Phillips is not available. Earlier in the season the response was to move Struijk there, Ayling to CB & Dallas to RB. I would not like to see this because All three players have looked brilliant in their current roles. If we do not move Struijk there, I guess it's a choice between Dallas or Klich. Neither of which are idea at all. I would probably prefer just Dallas. Let's just hope that Phillips is fit.
On the other hand Arsenal have already announced that both Tierney & Partey won't be fit enough to play against us. Both big positives for us, especially Tierney who seems to improve the whole side when he plays. In other positive news for us, David Luiz will return from suspension. Also to return is Leno.
Our record in London is inexplicably woeful. It's beyond believable. But having watched Arsenal play a few times this season, and obviously our last encounter, I fancy us. We were the better side before the sending off of Pepe. And certainly deserved more from the game. Arsenal have looked quit good at times, can play nice stuff, while never looking like scoring. We have been famed for getting 5-6 players in the box at the end of attacks. Watching Arsenal and too often they no more than 1. And while we have a tendency to gift the opposition a goal, Arsenal also share this trait. Will David Luiz play, and if so will his concentration hold long enough to follow the constant movement we offer up front.
Now obviously Arsenal have the players and the experience to comfortably beat us. They really should be. But no manager appears to be able to get the best out of the talent available and hopefully we catch them on another poor day. If we can win on Sunday and break our London hoodoo, then the possibility of going on a run really opens up. It would be nice to have some hope of catching a team or two above us before the end of the season. I think it will be unlikely and to finish where we are now would be a huge achievement but would be nice to keep the hope alive and a win on Sunday will make a huge difference to our chances.
Leeds v Arsenal
posted on 12/2/21
Sounds unlikely Phillips will be playing on Sunday. Pablo definitely not.
Can only see Shackleton coming in for Phillips.
And we know we will be playing 4-1-4-1 against Arsenals 1 up top. Just a case of who plays where.
Im predicting Shack at RB, Ayling CB, Struijk 4.
Would be more confident with Phillips but still think we can win this game
posted on 12/2/21
Looks like Arsenal have some pretty key injuries as well, so hopefully will be able to cope okay. Would prefer Struijk at CB. Think it's unfair to constantly play him out of position when he's already learning on the job as it is.
posted on 12/2/21
Makes more sense to me to bring one player in to fill the KP role rather than swapping half the team round, taking Struijk out of CB moving Ayling from RB to CB etc.
Still in Bielsa we trust so if that is what he thinks is best....
posted on 12/2/21
Also still possible Phillips plays, remember. Bielsa just said they hadn't made a decision on him yet. Berardi also back in training now. Expect him to play a part at some point, but not sure he will make a squad until he gets U23 minutes in first.
posted on 12/2/21
Neither FlipFlop nor Gillespie showing they have much of a clue to be fair, VAR certainly hasn't been our friend, we score plenty, problem is we concede plenty too. We also have a lot of absences. There's also the London factor to take into account. Not expecting many returns from the game.
posted on 12/2/21
comment by Lubo - We're Home! (U14008)
posted 33 minutes ago
Also still possible Phillips plays, remember. Bielsa just said they hadn't made a decision on him yet. Berardi also back in training now. Expect him to play a part at some point, but not sure he will make a squad until he gets U23 minutes in first.
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Unless things go spectacularly wrong, not expecting him to start at any point.
posted on 12/2/21
i would love to play everyone in the same position as the palace game and just bring llorette in for kal but of course he's injured.
posted on 12/2/21
We need Phillips cover in the summer. Can't keep ignoring a glaring weakness
posted on 12/2/21
comment by Shaun M - Rapinha de vi la loca (U9955)
posted 17 minutes ago
We need Phillips cover in the summer. Can't keep ignoring a glaring weakness
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shaun isn't llorette supposed to be cover for kal?
posted on 12/2/21
Read that Kalvin is being monitored so surely not decided yet