Dugout Discussion
18 December 2021 2028 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The only Premier League match of the day sees Leeds United face Arsenal, with kick-off at Elland Road at 17:30 GMT.

Five other top-flight fixtures scheduled for today, the last of which was Aston Villa v Burnley, fell by the wayside after Covid-19 ripped through the football calendar.

The evening match is still standing, however, despite the fact that Marcelo Bielsa’s squad has been ravaged by injury.

Ten senior Leeds players are unavailable for the clash with the Gunners, with Diego Llorente added to the nine we already knew about.

Bielsa’s four changes are all enforced, with Jamie Shackleton, Llorente, Daniel James and Junior Firpo all out.

Robin Koch returns from injury, while Joe Gelhardt, Cody Drameh and Mateusz Klich also come into the side.

The Whites’ very youthful bench contains 15-year-old Archie Gray, with the average age of the hosts’ substitutes being less than 19 years old.

Arsenal’s team news is a serene picture by comparison, as the visitors are unchanged for the fourth match in a row.

Emile Smith Rowe remains a substitute as a consequence, with the fit-again Bernd Leno joining him on the bench.

The Gunners do have a confirmed Covid-19 case, however: Albert Sambi Lokonga misses out after testing positive.

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang also sits this one out following a recent disciplinary breach.

GAMEWEEK 18 LINE-UPS

Leeds United XI: Meslier, Drameh, Ayling, Koch, Dallas, Forshaw, Raphinha, Klich, Roberts, Harrison, Gelhardt.

Subs: Klaesson, Bate, Summerville, Greenwood, McCarron, Jenkins, Moore, Kenneh, Gray.

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Saka, Partey, Xhaka, Martinelli, Odegaard, Lacazette.

Subs: Leno, Smith Rowe, Holding, Soares, Pepe, Nuno Tavares, Chambers, Elneny, Nketiah.

  1. fantasist
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    ESR goal imminent

  2. not_astarte
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    for the crime of not playing Smith, Arsenal will never see the lights of UEFA

  3. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Smith Rowe to Newcastle in January

  4. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    pen leeds

    1. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      gelhardt a

      1. Pompel
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Get in!!
        ... every small positive

  5. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ben Shite

  6. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    God this Leeds team is bad

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Oops

  7. Old Bull
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bit late in the day for ESR sadly

  8. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Leeds win a penalty.

    Gelhardt.

  9. fantasist
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Leeds penalty
    Gelhardt assist

  10. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Save the pen Ramsdale.

    1. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Please

      1. Gizzachance
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Raph getting lucky with pens lately

  11. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gah

  12. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    White hahah

    50m

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Matip

      Free transfer

  13. Zimo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What was that tackle White wtf

  14. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    You have got to be effing joking, absolutely pathetic

  15. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ramsdale is gonna save, isn't he.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If he does I'm ordering takeaway

  16. Not again Shirley
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Raph will deffo miss

  17. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ramsdale pen save would be immense

  18. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    HUGE SWING

  19. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Worst tackle ever seen. Please save it

    1. HonestBlatter
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Should have been YC at least

  20. fantasist
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Raphinia goal
    Gelhardt assist

  21. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Raphinha g gelhardt a

  22. not_astarte
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    please be raph

  23. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Jeez, Rams & White CS about to go.

    1. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Big bummer

  24. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Raphinha G
    Gelhardt A

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Oh there we go

  25. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Raphinha keeps doing it.

    1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Keeps getting penalties

  26. Ibralicious
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    RAPHINHA get innnn

  27. HonestBlatter
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    CS busted and Laca second assist missing still...

  28. Arteta
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Unsavable. Top bins.

  29. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who broke Ramsdale?

    1. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Super Saints

  30. Zimo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What an amateur tackle by White my god