Two players to earn debuts in four changes: Bielsa confirms team news for Leeds clash v Arsenal
Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that he is going to make four changes to his starting line-up for the FA Cup clash between Leeds United and Arsenal on Monday.
Goalkeeper Illan Meslier and midfielder Robbie Gotts are both set to make their senior debuts for the Whites at the Emirates while Gaetano Berardi and Barry Douglas are also going to start.
As a result of the changes, Kiko Casilla, Liam Cooper, Helder Costa and Stuart Dallas are set to be rested.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Saturday, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Bielsa revealed the changes he plans to make.
“Meslier is going to play, Berardi for Cooper, Douglas for Alioski, Alioski in the place of Helder Costa, Gotts for Dallas,” he said.
Bielsa was always likely to rest certain players for Leeds’ trip to the Emirates on Monday after a busy festive schedule in the Championship.
Not only have players like Pablo Hernandez, Tyler Roberts and Adam Forshaw who have been suffering injuries in that time but Jack Clarke and Eddie Nketiah have also seen their loan spells terminated by their parent clubs.
It means that Bielsa does not have a lot to choose from when it comes to selecting his team to play Arsenal but it is great to see that Meslier and Gotts will finally make their debuts.
Gotts has been on the bench a lot this season without ever getting an appearance so this is a massive game for him and hopefully he can impress Bielsa enough to start handing him more outings in the future.
In other Leeds United news, the FA will not take any further action against Cooper.