Gelhardt and Cresswell to start – Leeds United predicted XI v Arsenal
Marcelo Bielsa is predicted to make three changes to the Leeds United starting line-up when they play Arsenal at Elland Road on Saturday.
Junior Firpo is banned while Jamie Shackleton went off injured in the 7-0 defeat at Manchester City on Tuesday, meaning Under-23s duo Charlie Cresswell and Joe Gelhardt could come into the side.
We also predict that Tyler Roberts could be axed and replaced by Mateusz Klich to offer Leeds’ midfield a bit more defensive resilience following their capitulation at the Etihad.
Illan Meslier is predicted to start in goals behind a back-four of Luke Ayling, who moves back into the right-back role, Diego Llorente, Cresswell and Stuart Dallas.
Klich could join Adam Forshaw in the centre of the midfield with Kalvin Phillips set to be missing for at least two months.
Daniel James, Raphinha and Harrison could line up in the attacking midfield and wide roles while Gelhardt may be Bielsa’s lone striker when the Gunners are in town this weekend.
Bielsa still faces numerous injury worries this weekend with Phillips, Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford, Pascal Struijk, Robin Koch, Rodrigo and Shackleton all potentially missing while Firpo is banned for accumulating five yellow cards.
It’ll no doubt be a massive test for Leeds but after seeing his side dismantled at Man City, we feel as though Bielsa may start to stick square pegs in square holes, even if it does mean throwing youngsters into the mix.
Gelhardt scored his first Premier League goal at Chelsea on Saturday while Cresswell has done nothing but impress in his starts against West Ham and Fulham.
In other Leeds United news, a talkSPORT host blasted back at this Whites fan for what he said on-air about Bielsa.