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Sky Sports pundit slams Wilfried Gnonto despite Leeds United absence v Arsenal
Sky Sports pundit Matthew Upson slammed Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto live on air, despite his absence from their Premier League fixtures against Arsenal on Saturday [1 April]
The Whites faced a huge injury blow for Saturday’s game with the Premier League league leaders after what turned into a dreadful international break with the Italian wonderkid returning with an ankle injury and he could be set for a spell on the sidelines.
And Upson ahead of the game at the Emirates Stadium slammed the fleet-footed Italian and Jack Harrison for their lack of goals for Leeds United so far this season.
He said: [Sky Sports News, 1 April, 2:40pm]:
“I think [Harrison] does [need to score more goals]. But I think all the players in that layer behind the centre-forward do. There are not enough goals coming from Gnonto and Harrison.
“Harrison looks to be in better form. He scored a cracking goal the other week and looks to have a bit more confidence about himself in front of goals.”
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Baffling
It seems as if Upson is going for two of Leeds United’s best performers so far this season, which makes his assessment rather baffling. Both Gnonto and Harrison have been superb for much of the campaign despite the club’s flirtation with relegation.
The Italian has enjoyed a thrilling first campaign in England registering two goals and three assists which may look like an average return for all of his qualities, but it’s not entirely his fault with the Whites lacking that clinical edge in front of goal as a whole.
He arguably still remains the club’s most electric attacker in the final third, and there needs to be an understanding that he is still young, with a lot to learn.
The Harrison assessment is rather needless too given his incredible importance the team throughout his time at Elland Road.
It’s evidently clear that Leeds United are a much more potent and dangerous force with the former Manchester City academy star in the side and his three goals and six assists represent a decent return.
Sure, with the club facing a nerve-wracking relegation battle, Leeds will desperately need Harrison back at his best goalscoring form but that should fall on everyone, not just Harrison and Gnonto.
In other Leeds United news, the club are ready to offer a new contract to one first-team star whose deal is up in 2024.
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