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

    Still time for esr hattrick

  2. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    No please, not ESR again...

  3. FFSbet.com
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    We cant sell ESR ffs

  4. Murder on Zidane's Flo…
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    ESR. Never in doubt son

  5. Firmino
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    FFS!

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

    All those ESR owners hating on him earlier, seeing the love now

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They had no faith. But I did. What a guy Smith Rowe

  7. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Get the fook in

    ESRRRRR

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The kid is unbelievable - so freaking clinical

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

    3 - Martinelli (49)
    2 - Ødegaard (30)
    1 - Xhaka (27)

    Meslier (24)
    Smith Rowe (21)

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

      24 Xhaka

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Beautiful

  9. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Arteta put ESR in the false 9 - Pep would you know

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

    Get innn. Missed the deadline but with ESR and Raph goals, the GW has taken a turn for the better!

  11. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Has as many league goals as Ronaldo now, Croydon De Bruyne!

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

    Smith!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BEAUTIFUL

  13. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    7 goals for ESR this season

    More than Lukaku, Kane and Lacazette combined

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

    Saka & ESR are great and have a fitting song!

  15. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I absolutely hate this game.

  16. agameofthrowins
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tyler Roberts has been woeful

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

      Yeah, he's a bit gash isn't he

  17. TomSaints
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Points for everyone this game then

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not for Arsenal defenders

      1. Lets jump straight into it.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Apart from Tomi .....

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

    Smith Rowe 3 bonus?

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

      Lol what

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

      Stop it.

    3. *Reformed-Character*
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Log off… indefinitely

    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe after his 2nd and 3rd goals

  19. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Has there been bigger xG overachiever than ESR this season?

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

      That was a big chance at least...

    2. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hwang?

  20. BeWater
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Never get away with an ESR blank. The ratio of shots per goal must be unreal.

  21. have you seen cyan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    esr has two? or carrier pigeons again?

  22. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Lacazette is so slow

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

    Scores off bench again

  24. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Laca down with a Koch to the head

  25. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Az is going to be unbearable
    Imagine if Jimenez scores too

    1. Qui-Gon-Joe
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      So proud of him

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

    Koch into Laca's face.

  27. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Xhaka yellow finally. Should have had three by now.

  28. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Missed deadline yet again . 3 in a row now. Was set on getting Martinelli. Honest guv

  29. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    ESR you utter legend.

    Come on Laca, still time for a goal lad