Arsenal v Leeds Utd Match Thread

[Madron]

Wouldn't be such a stretch for Bijol to replace Ampadu in midfield though. I think it will be Gruev. But might be a better way to integrate Bijol for his first game.

As for the 2 wide men I just see that as our best option. Farke said we need to take the game to them. If we're going to be on the back foot, pinging it long to James and Gnonto will probably be our best option

Seems the best option to me.

[The Subhuman]

Bijol is not a ball playing CB so one assumes he'd not be a ball playing DMF...

[malcolmw]

Wonder if that's why he was up at Thorpe Park.

There is an "in training Arsenal" video posted on the Leeds app and Noah is shown working as hard as the rest of the squad.
The manager has also indicated, given he has been playing - right up to last week - he is an option on Saturday. Sounded in fact more likely than DCL!

So I wouldn't put any credibility in him failing his medical.

[malcolmw]

Seems the best option to me.

Can't see him putting Bijol in midfield against Arsenal - too risky.
The same back 4 will start - mainly, I think, because Pascal will take over as captain.

I also think he will start Gruev in Amps' place. But he may surprise with Longstaff.

As much as I'm a James fan, he was woeful against Everton (maybe just not yet match fit?). I think Harrison should start on the right, but would be OK with Largie. I can see Noah coming on to one of the wings in the 2nd half.

But then in his press conference, when asked about that, he did say you have to balance keeping a winning starting line up with who the opponent is, where they have particular strengths, etc.

It is nice though to even be able to have this conversation. We now do have options all over the field

[SnifferClarke]

Can't see him putting Bijol in midfield against Arsenal - too risky.
The same back 4 will start - mainly, I think, because Pascal will take over as captain.

I also think he will start Gruev in Amps' place. But he may surprise with Longstaff.

As much as I'm a James fan, he was woeful against Everton (maybe just not yet match fit?). I think Harrison should start on the right, but would be OK with Largie. I can see Noah coming on to one of the wings in the 2nd half.

But then in his press conference, when asked about that, he did say you have to balance keeping a winning starting line up with who the opponent is, where they have particular strengths, etc.

It is nice though to even be able to have this conversation. We now do have options all over the field

I agree with starting Longstaff but Harrison was poor playing on the right for Everton. I would play him on the left and switch
Gnonto to the right. Harrison can help contain Saka.

A real curve ball,start Aaronson on the right keep Gnonto on the left.

[malcolmw]

I agree with starting Longstaff but Harrison was poor playing on the right for Everton. I would play him on the left and switch
Gnonto to the right. Harrison can help contain Saka.

A real curve ball,start Aaronson on the right keep Gnonto on the left.

I can only see Aaronson coming off the bench to add energy if needed around 70 min.
I think Arsenal's defense will take him apart on the wing.
The new lad is known for being a 1V1 winger who likes to shoot.
Like I said, it is nice to have winger options.

[Ellandback1]

Bijol is not a ball playing CB so one assumes he'd not be a ball playing DMF...

Struijk can play DMF, which would allow Bijol to slot in next to Rodon. I'd probably go Longstaff, due to his experience.

[Ellandback1]

I can only see Aaronson coming off the bench to add energy if needed around 70 min.
I think Arsenal's defense will take him apart on the wing.
The new lad is known for being a 1V1 winger who likes to shoot.
Like I said, it is nice to have winger options.

100%, Aaronson is like a duracell bunny. Gives it all, and covers every blade of grass.

[GreennWhite]

A lot will dpend on how Farke thinks Longstaff has fitted into the team during pre season and in training. Longstaffs premeir league experience may well get him the nod, as he knows exactly what he is going to face playing against Arsenal as he will have done that on plenty of occasions in the past.

[Irish Ian]

100%, Aaronson covers every blade of grass.

Yes his first touch is terrible isnt it

[White Lotus]

Lots of options, with lots of good reasoning for each, so i have a question :

Which player starting in the Ampadu role would most disappoint you when he names the teamsheet? Put why so if you wish, or just the name of the player.

I'll go first - Mine would be to see Gruev named as starting, for some of the reasons listed above which concur with my own, I basically feel it's negative and almost surrendering to them before we start, but at the end if the manager was correct and it finished 0-0 or 1-1 with a well earned point, h'mmm?

Or are we at the moment pre match - So ambitious that our brains are pre-wired to want to win outright? (that's me btw)

And i want to go toe to toe and try and win it, I have £10 on us to win 0-1, I always like to be optimistic - I wonder how many minutes before my bet is down, could the bet go all the way to the end and still be alive? Or bet down within 5 minutes?

So forget who you think Farke will choose, who do you want to see start?
Are you a optimistic/pessimistic person, positive/negative person, maybe a realistic person?

I don't want to see Gruev, I want to see Longstaff start.

[White Lotus]

In fact, I want to see anyone else start before Gruev, and i know that may sound harsh on Gruev, but it's not, I'll still be mega interested in why and to see how he goes and how we play and why Farke went for such.

I just personally feel like we should go at them and not be scared, someone like Gruev is the most defensive option (which should say given the gulf, it's common sense)

[CUSSIE01]

“ Are you an optimistic/pessimistic person, positive/negative person, maybe a realistic person “ ?
I can be all of the above in the space of 5 minutes but went for 1-1 in the correct score thread and just have a feeling we could sneak something today.
Having 3 points in the bag makes a huge difference, lose to Arsenal with Newcastle up next & we could easily be sitting bottom after 3 games with no points, no confidence & Farke under pressure. This is now a game with little pressure as everyone expects us to get humped so let’s go for it.

[The Subhuman]

My team would be

Perri
Bogle
Gudmundsson
Gruev
Rodon
Struijk
Gnonto
Stach
Piroe
Tanaka
Okafor

[GreennWhite]

Can we keep them from scoring ?? very big effort required for that to happen. Thing is, can we sneak a goal ??

[Orange Box]

Apparently Ramazanni hasn’t travelled with the squad, and I have to say he looked a little flat in the latest training video. I wonder if he’s been told he’s going out?

[Pullhard]

Yes his first touch is terrible isnt it

His second touch is a tackle

[Pullhard]

“ Are you an optimistic/pessimistic person, positive/negative person, maybe a realistic person “ ?
I can be all of the above in the space of 5 minutes but went for 1-1 in the correct score thread and just have a feeling we could sneak something today.
Having 3 points in the bag makes a huge difference, lose to Arsenal with Newcastle up next & we could easily be sitting bottom after 3 games with no points, no confidence & Farke under pressure. This is now a game with little pressure as everyone expects us to get humped so let’s go for it.

Yes the 3 points in the bag gives it that free hit sort of feel. A sneaky draw today would be a thing of beauty. Big test for Perri to command the box. Let’s see whether he uses his physique to dominate.

Look at West Ham after last night and suddenly in crisis mode - potentially looking at no points from first 5 games.

[Ellandback1]

Did Ramazani travel with the squad to Arsenal, or did he leave the team hotel to undergo a medical elsewhere?????

[The Subhuman]

Did Ramazani travel with the squad to Arsenal, or did he leave the team hotel to undergo a medical elsewhere?????

He's not with the squad