Dugout Discussion
18 December 2021 2028 comments
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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.

2,028 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I bet some of you here have a cup opponent with Martinelli. Not to worry, the cup will be on again next season.

  2. JJO
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Faking cramps
    He wont start,ESR will replace him
    Bla,bla,bla

  3. DARE TO BISCAN
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Martinelli bois coming outta the woodwork

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Only bought him last week

      1. DARE TO BISCAN
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Nice

  4. evilfish
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ok, that's it, I've had quite enough football for one weekend.

  5. Salan
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    When all talking about Laca Saka ESR, it's Martinelli coming out.

    Classic FPL.

  6. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    So it wasn’t a Laca assist. Heck!

  7. Rainer
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ref confirming to the 4th official Laca tocuhed the ball...

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 8 months ago

      What was it actually all about? Strange

  8. TheTinman
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Supersub bought Ramsey in for Martenelli when he hobbled off last match, then brought in ESR for -4 when Villa game called off 🙄

  9. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Laca miss again

  10. BrutalLogiC
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Az will be happy

  11. Rainer
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Lacatalent is horrendous

  12. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Defo no lacca assist gonna be given now

  13. JONALDINHO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Laca should be on 2 goals 1 assist

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 8 months ago

      2 goals for sure

  14. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    So glad I took that hit to get THAT Arsenal mid….

  15. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    LIV should score at least 6 against this weak, depleted team.

  16. The Train Driver
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Messliers rival has Laca...

  17. Fish up a tree
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Has Super Saints got Laca ffs

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Nope he must have Martinelli.

  18. tbos83
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I do hate to brag (honest) but I played fh and included Martinelli

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Why hate,enjoy it wish i went for him.

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

    Liverpool v this Leeds team could get messy

  20. EffPeeEll
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Lackedatouch

    nightmare continues

  21. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Zero debate about who to captain next GW now!

    1. mojoindojo
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Martinelli...

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Early kick off too. We'll know if it's going ahead or not. May triple cap Salah in all honestly

  22. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    LacaxGette

  23. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ok which smart arses brought in martenelli and didn’t tell us !

  24. BrutalLogiC
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Plenty more goals coming.. This is horrible viewing for Leeds

  25. Shark Team
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    ESR owners should be hopeful, he can score 2 goals of the bench for fun if he is clinical as always

  26. SH1M1
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Salah surely a viable triple captain option next week, even if it’s only 1 game

  27. Baps Hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Laka will be subbed off, Martinelli will play as striker and ESR on his place if this continues.

  28. Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Martinelli with all the goals, laca with all the misses!

  29. have you seen cyan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    In hindsight a player with no fixture was perhaps the better pick then Laca

    1. GoonerSteve
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Lol

    2. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Haha

  30. Duke Silver ☑
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I did consider Martinelli for all of about 0.4 seconds.

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      For an android, that is nearly an eternity.