Dugout Discussion

Smith Rowe on bench as unchanged Arsenal face injury-hit Leeds

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 Post a Comment
  1. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Anewpla.net (BPS site) have it listed as Laca assist for the first goal on their live feed.

    1. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Good knowledge. Defo assist

    2. SINGH
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Nonesense. He wasn't intending to pass the ball to Martinelli. Only wanted to win it back.

  2. BrutalLogiC
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Come on Tierney.. Your turn

  3. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    if raph scores white cs is gone....

    1. Shteve
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      So that's a good thing right..

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      are u a detective?

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

      Do you want a clean White sheet or a White clean sheet?

      1. SINGH
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Are you the Chicken Connosieur?

  4. BAD BOY BRUNO
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Any rumours about Son starting tomorrow?

    1. BAD BOY BRUNO
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      If not, shall we start one?

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Well he's been in interviews about the match. Surely can't have covid anymore if allowed to do that?

  5. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Fantasy Premier League
    @OfficialFPL
    Goal - SAKA
    Assists - none

    Leeds 0-3 Arsenal (42 mins)

  6. Costa Nostra
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    For all the blind muppets...

    https://twitter.com/ffscout/status/1472269189423448064?s=21

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      The timing overlap was perfect for another dubious Laca touch...

  7. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Didn't captained Salah:
    - If he is out then it's all good
    - If he plays then it means he doesn't have covid so it means i TC him next gw so all good too
    *and yes i prefer Salah in a single gw against this Leeds rather than Salah in a DGW or Dennis in a TGW...

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Captained Salah, Vice on Saka.

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

    What could have been if he had talent...

  9. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Martineli was clearly the best pick just had no place for him

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Time to shift ESR.

    2. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      This . Plus though he was slightly injured from last game 🙁

  10. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Commentator saying Leeds had only 8 senior players available for this game. Given this match wasn't postponed does that mean those other teams where games were cancelled had less available players?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Leeds players are crocked, not with covid.

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

      Can postpone games due to COVID cases, not injuries

  11. Dammit_182
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Painful watching this with just ESR and his VC as my skin in the game….

  12. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Hopefully Laca's second assist is added by the time of the second half starting

  13. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    2 assists for Lacazette SIUUUUUUUUU

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      ?

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Confirmed by FPL. To be added

        1. FredUpAlready
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          ?

        2. FredUpAlready
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Where has it been confirmed my friend?

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      ?

    3. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Zero to hero!

    4. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      lol this a joke?

  14. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    After review, the assist for Arsenal’s 1st goal is awarded to Alexandre Lacazette

    He provided the final touch before Gabriel Martinelli’s effort on goal

    #LEEARS #FPL

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      i see one assist..

    2. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      100% so why is this missing from FPL still

    3. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Thought thats the one..

    4. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Old news.

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Non owner? 😀

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          No. But that tweet was 5mins ago.

          1. Make United Great Again
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Alright. Keep your knickers on

            1. Royal5
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              He was given the first. Never the second.

  15. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Still second assist for Laca is missing...please check the slowmo

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      He was tackled.

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      It was never an assist. Even first one was dodgy

      1. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        We've seen many worse "assists" given to be fair.

        1. df34
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          B. Silva v Watford very similar. Both had 'control' of the ball

      2. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        How was first one dodgy? Disposses defender and it reaches Martinelli who scores. Textbook assist.

  16. PartyTime
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Come on Laca Score a goal!

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      There's asking for miracles and then there's this...

  17. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    https://www.reddit.com/r/Gunners/comments/rjcbdr/laca_and_saka_chance/

    They made up for it but holy crap, those were shocking misses.

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      It's okay to miss a few chances in this 90-minute training session with Leeds' academy

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Meslier came towards Laca pretty well. At least Saka has scored and Laca got his first assist.

  18. Salan
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    In ML, I am 2nd and behind the leader by 29 points.

    He has Martinelli and Saka. Unreal.

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      That’s why he’s first

      1. Salan
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        You are right.

  19. Salarrivederci
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    I really like my team for next GW (pre covid)

    Ederson
    TAA - Cancelo - Dias - James - Rudiger
    Salah - Jota - Saka - Ødegaard
    Ronaldo

    (Ward, King, Gilmour, Gelhardt)

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I really liked the look of my team for GW 18 before Covid fooked everything up.

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I really liked my team for this GW and was considering BB, but have a maximum of 9 playing now.

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

      I'll raise ya

      Ramsdale
      TAA James Cancelo Alonso Tierney
      Salah Foden Bilva Jota
      Ronaldo

      DDG Dennis Ramsey Gelhardt

  20. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Half-time info

    The Kilmarnock manager ha just been sacked after his side was beaten by ....... the fog.

  21. KirkhamWesham
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Are we shipping Watkins back to Ronaldo after this gw?
    He's got tasty fixtures and will have served his flu isolation.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Hell no

  22. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    The stats were suggesting that the Leeds D had tightened up then they go and concede 10 goals in a game and a half !

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      That's when they had players

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Injuries and fixtures make a difference

  23. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    BONUS POINTS AS THINGS STAND
    3 - Martinelli
    2 - Xhaka
    1 - Meslier

  24. dark91
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Just 1 goal would be great for us La(c)a owners

  25. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    ESR missing out on this free for all

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Don't worry he'll come on and piss all over my rank with a goal.

    2. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      5mins against these lot is enough

  26. PartyTime
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    What would have been if Emile started the game

  27. George Sillett
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Retrospective "was hoping to pick Martinelli/Saka" stories on here are such hilarious bs.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Hey Slouch. People always pay the extra for ESR, Saka, Odegaard if they have the budget.

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Exactly . How are you btw ?

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          All good, mate. Off work now and looking forward to Xmas with the family.

          Hope you’re all set and well, too.

          1. George Sillett
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Things are good. Bith the kids are coming home for Christmas , unfortunately I'm working all week until 7am on Christmas Day. The silver lining is 2 years until retirement and counting !

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Until 7am? Are you Santa in disguise?

              Have a great one!

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      In fairness, I did consider Martinelli for 0.4 seconds 😉

  28. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Drameh by name, drama by nature.

  29. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    I'm a Laca owner and I knew first one was an assist. But the second one looks like laca touches it but then a Leeds defender touches it as well so won't be given.

  30. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Almost went for martinelli over saka 🙁

    1. Salan
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Here almost went for martinelli over ESR

      Coz Villa game is off and not getting Cash, so go for a more expensive and highly owned ESR.

      Mistake.

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Hey its okay I was mad too but Saka scored as well. 8 points difference but not as bad as 13 at least