Arsenal v Leeds Utd Match Thread - Jamie Shackleton replaces the injured Kalvin Phillips

[The Subhuman]

If Kalvin isnt fit what do we do?

Klich to DFM and Shacks as box to box?
Klich to DFM and Pablo in?
A whole back four reshuffle with Ayling in the middle, Struijk DFM and Dallas LWB? Tricky stuff.

Sunday sees the first of 4 matches in 13 days so I hope there are no more injuries or suspensions.

Interestingly the ref is Stuart Atwell who was in charge in our first game against Arsenal. Did he feel conned by Ailioski?
Ailoski has already been talking up the Pepe rematch, so he better watch himself.

Dallas sits deeper, Klich as the 8 and covering the 4, Raphinha, as he did last week playing some 10 and Shack/Huggins as a second 8

[gessa]

Ah the weekly conundrum trying to out guess MB ...Lots of variables, but I hope he does not break up the back 4...let Dallas do Kp role and Shack in box to box... thats my version any whoooo

Struijk is doing a great job at the back, imperative to keep the strongest back 4 together

[The Subhuman]

Meslier

Ayling Struijk Cooper Alioski

Dallas

Raphinha Klich Shackleton Harrison

Bamford

[1964white]

Ah the weekly conundrum trying to out guess MB ...Lots of variables, but I hope he does not break up the back 4...let Dallas do Kp role and Shack in box to box... thats my version any whoooo

I'll be cross if he makes 3 changes when two will suffice!

[Scoobychief]

Dallas will play where phillips is and we may see Hernandez in midfield.

[1964white]

Meslier

Ayling Struijk Cooper Alioski

Dallas

Raphinha Klich Shackleton Harrison

Bamford

That's the side we hope Marcelo would select

[Ron Swanson]

Klich looks so much better in the #10 position than #8.

To me it seems a pretty straight forward decision to bring in Shackleton and make a decision on who to have in what role.

Struijk just isn't the answer as a defensive midfielder and deep lying play maker combination, that the Phillips role demands. I'd feel more comfortable with him in the #8 role... which he is equally unsuited to.

[1964white]

Dallas will play where phillips is and we may see Hernandez in midfield.

I wouldn't argue with that as Pablo does work hard on & off the ball

[Smudge3920]

Meslier

Ayling Struijk Cooper Alioski

Dallas

Raphinha Klich Shackleton Harrison

Bamford

[Leeds1000]

Not the game to be blooding youngsters imo.

Tbf I could see Dallas doing a decent job there with someone like Shacks taking his place at CM.

Dallas can play anywhere.

Sounds like a plan.

[Smudge3920]

I wouldn't argue with that as Pablo does work hard on & off the ball

Is he fit ?

[Leeds1000]

I thought someone posted up he was injured?

[Metro1962]

It might be a good idea that Bielsa does not name the team beforehand.

My thoughts are Leeds will win quite comfortably and break the taboooooooooo.

[Allrounder]

Is it confirmed KP is out of this match?

[Carrick Dave]

Is it confirmed KP is out of this match?

Marcelo didn’t confirm either way.

[gessa]

Is he fit ?

No, he's out.

[60sUnited]

Don't mind what the master does apart from putting Struijk in Phillips role, he cannot perform that role and seriously weakens us, leave him at centre back please !!

[CHAPELALLMAN]

Klich looks so much better in the #10 position than #8.

To me it seems a pretty straight forward decision to bring in Shackleton and make a decision on who to have in what role.

Struijk just isn't the answer as a defensive midfielder and deep lying play maker combination, that the Phillips role demands. I'd feel more comfortable with him in the #8 role... which he is equally unsuited to.

I fear we will lose if we play Struijk as a defensive midfielder. Their 10 will probably try to pull him around all over and leave big gaps in the middle for them to run into. We do part like the Red Sea sometimes in the middle of the park.

[Chilli D]

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leed ... 830508.amp

[CHAPELALLMAN]

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leed ... 830508.amp

If Strujik goes DM and Ayling CB with Dallas at RB then we will completely undo the improvements which we have made in recent weeks formation wise, and lose all the attacking momentum which Ayling provides as a FB. We will probably be totally bossed in the middle of the park if we go that way.

This is their take on the match. I can't believe the comment ' We absolutely have better players than them, but so do every other team in the league.' He obviously hasn't seen much of Raphinha so far...

https://positivelyarsenal.com/2021/02/1 ... s-leeds-2/