Early Leeds United team news v Arsenal confirmed – Five players potentially missing
Jesse Marsch has confirmed that Leeds United will be without numerous senior players against Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday (8 May).
Speaking to the media, as shown via Leeds’ official YouTube account on Friday (6 May), Marsch confirmed that Patrick Bamford, Tyler Roberts, Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw and Crysenscio Summerville are all missing for the trip to North London.
He also added that Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente are back in training and that captain Cooper will play against the Gunners.
“Patrick has been on the pitch so we remain cautiously optimistic with that. Tyler, Adam and Cree are all moving in the right direction. Liam and Diego trained today. Other than those four or five guys, we should have our full complement of players,” said Marsch.
He added: “I actually think Liam will play.”
Must-win game
It’s not very often that Leeds are faced with a game they simply must win when they’re playing away against Arsenal.
Leeds’ record in London over the past decade or so is very sketchy to say the least while their record against the Gunners is also poor.
The Whites have not won against them since winning 3-2 at Highbury in 2003 when Harry Kewell, Ian Harte and Mark Viduka were on the scoresheet.
Since then, 11 meetings have yielded two draws and nine losses for Leeds United, with one of those losses coming earlier this season when Arsenal won 4-1 at Elland Road in December.
But now’s the time to throw the form book out of the window and really make a move to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Leeds have tough games left to play and they also have one less match than 18th-placed Everton, who are two points behind Marsch’s men.
It’s not going to be easy – but it’s needed.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has detailed behind-the-scenes frustration about Marcelo Bielsa.