Arsenal Super Fan shares Raphinha fears ahead of Leeds United clash
This is part of a regular series from our panel of Super Fans on upcoming Leeds United games. Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Arsenal, we caught up with Olaleke Sherif @Olaleke_sherif, a football enthusiast, data analyst and Gunners supporter.
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Leeds United host Arsenal later today at Elland Road and will be looking to bounce back from the 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City.
The Whites fans will be cheering on their team on Saturday (18 December), but the visitors are favourites after moving to fourth in the Premier League table following the 2-0 win over West Ham last time out.
Injuries have not helped Marcelo Bielsa’s side so far in 2021-22, but they will be hoping they can get a result against an Arsenal side that have often struggled on the road this season.
Ahead of the clash, we spoke with Olaleke Sherif @Olaleke_sherif, a football enthusiast, data analyst and Gunners supporter, to gauge the mood amongst the opposition supporters.
What have you made of Leeds so far this season?
Leeds have performed below my expectations this season after their impressive first season back in the Premier League.
I was expecting them to be in the top 10 at this stage of the season.
Who will cause you the biggest issues?
Raphinha. He is an unpredictable player.
What have you made of your season so far?
Our season has been full of ups and downs – from losing our first three matches of the league and then followed by some unbeaten matches, then losing to Liverpool and Manchester United.
That was followed by a bizarre performance at Goodison Park.
Now we are finding our rhythm again.
Who should Leeds watch out for?
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
If you could see your club sign one player from Leeds, who would it be and why?
Raphinha. He is an unpredictable player, and he is good with his feet.
Is Mikel Arteta likely to make any big changes to the side?
No, because our present starting 11 has found the rhythm.
Are there any particular weak links in the Arsenal side you fear may get exposed?
Our midfield.
The Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey combination still does not work for me, because Partey is not at his best for now, and we don’t move the ball quicker and Leeds are a high-pressing side.
Score prediction/what type of game will we see?
Leeds 1 Arsenal 3.
It will be an interesting game because Leeds recent form has not been good and teams with bad forms have been getting the better side of Arsenal.
I hope it is not so because we need to win this game to cement our fourth-place position for now.
In other Leeds United news, Whites chiefs recently jetted out of the UK for talks.