Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Tue 31 March 2026 19:10, UK

Leeds United will have a major decision to make over Lucas Perri against West Ham United in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta trusted Kepa Arrizabalaga to start in goal for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley and the Spanish goalkeeper’s error cost the Gunners in the 2-0 loss.

The Whites travel to London Stadium on 5 April and Daniel Farke may face a dilemma over the Brazilian goalkeeper, who has lost his number one spot to Karl Darlow.

With the former Olympique Lyon shot-stopper relegated to starting only in the cup competitions since the turn of the year, the German manager could potentially rely on the Wales international for the best chance of beating the Hammers.

Perri doesn’t seem to have a future under Farke and it will be interesting to see whether he’ll learn from Arteta’s example, who dropped David Raya to the bench for the final.

Daniel Farke surely in two minds for West Ham vs Leeds United

It can be argued that had Arteta started Raya in goal against Man City, Arsenal would surely have had a better chance of lifting silverware that evening.

Farke could be in the same boat come Sunday, but the German manager has other priorities at Elland Road.

The Whites are in the thick of a fierce relegation battle in the Premier League, surviving which has to be their main priority.

On the flip side, the West Yorkshire outfit have made the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 23 years.

It’s been almost 40 years since the Peacocks last featured in the FA Cup semi-final, back in 1987, and the chance to make history and take them to Wembley will undoubtedly be on Farke’s mind.

Premier League survival can come down to final day at London Stadium

Farke’s Elland Road future certainly hangs in the balance and he’ll likely be sacked if Leeds get relegated.

One of the many reasons why the German manager will want to get the better of Nuno Espirito Santo in the FA Cup is to instil belief among his players.

The West Yorkshire outfit will travel to London Stadium on the final day of the Premier League campaign and they will arguably be much more confident about beating West Ham if they can get past them in the quarter-final.

There are several things at play in LS11 and it’s now up to Farke to deal with them.