Beren Cross
Injuries to Max Wober, Tyler Adams and Wilfried Gnonto, coupled with Rodrigo and Luis Sinisterra’s cautious comebacks, leave the Leeds United side virtually picking itself. That said, there may be a little artistic license given this is arguably the hardest match of the season.
Wober’s absence is the only switch I would want to make to a defensive unit which has settled into a steady pattern of late. Luke Ayling popped up with a crucial goal at Molineux on the other side of the international break, but it barely masked what was another challenging afternoon marking Daniel Podence.
Rasmus Kristensen’s goal on the same afternoon reminded everyone he is keen for more minutes, but Ayling just about has enough credit in the bank to retain his place. A chance to make amends for last season’s dreadful red card also keeps him in my side.
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The big decision is on Liam Cooper or Pascal Struijk to Robin Koch’s left. Neither of them can be especially sharp after such limited minutes in recent weeks, so the former’s seniority and leadership get him ahead in my pecking order.
Cooper’s 15 minutes with Scotland on Tuesday night is the only pitch time he has had since February 5, while Struijk’s 10 minutes in Wolverhampton is all he’s had since that blow to the head at Old Trafford on February 8. Neither Weston McKennie nor Marc Roca have shown a consistently high level in recent weeks, but in Tyler Adams’s absence they have to play as the only fit, senior alternatives.
There has been enough in their games to have some confidence they can be a force at Arsenal, but Javi Gracia’s hands may feel a little tied in this department. In attack, Rodrigo would have been straight into my line-up if Gracia had sounded more confident about the forward’s fitness, but it seems it may be a risk to start him.
Patrick Bamford, Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison pick themselves with Georginio Rutter and Sinisterra also struggling for form and fitness respectively. Brenden Aaronson is the last option under consideration.
The American has continued to cut a frustrated presence in recent matches, though there were flickers of improvement in Wolverhampton, and given the circumstances, I am tempted to replace him with a steely alternative. Darko Gyabi may be young and inexperienced, but his confidence has to be high after a consistent run of good performances with United’s under-21s and England’s under-19s.
Given how much pressure Leeds are likely to be under in their own third, I like the strength, height, guile and athleticism Gyabi could bring to the engine room on the edge of the Leeds box. That being said, it may be more practical to draft Struijk in as a third centre-back if I want an extra body in and around the Leeds box.
Bringing Struijk in would both protect Cooper from Bukayo Saka's attacks and even free up Junior Firpo to do what he loves most and attack that left flank. This is a big game against a very confident, high-quality side with a noisy home crowd on Leeds backs. It could be difficult for a teen like Gyabi.
Beren’s XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Struijk, Firpo; McKennie, Roca; Summerville, Bamford, Harrison.
Will Jackson
Javi Gracia didn’t have too much good news to deliver in his press conference this afternoon. The injuries to Adams, Gnonto and Wober come as a big blow and it remains to be seen when they’ll be in a position to return to the starting line-up.
However, he seemed cautious when it came to the fitness of Sinisterra and Rodrigo, too, suggesting they wouldn’t be ready to start on Saturday against Arsenal. They’ll play some part in north London, it seems, but I’ve picked this team on the back of Gracia’s words.
With that in mind, then, I’d make just two changes to the starting line-up this week and both are enforced. Cooper is arguably the most notable player to make a return and I’ve got to say it’s a fairly straightforward decision.
With Wober out and Cooper fit again, the skipper is the obvious choice to come into the backline and partner Koch at the heart of the defence. It will change the dynamic at the back slightly, but his experience and nous will come in handy at Emirates Stadium.
Gnonto’s injury opens the door for Summerville to come back into the side on the right and that pushes the in-form Harrison out to his preferred left wing. With Rodrigo getting close to full fitness, Patrick Bamford will be under a bit of pressure to perform against the Gunners.
Rodrigo’s goals have been critical this season, but Bamford offers plenty in the way of work rate and pressing off the ball and it will be up to him to give Gracia something to think about as the games start to come thick and fast.
Will’s XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Firpo; McKennie, Roca; Summerville, Aaronson, Harrison; Bamford
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