Leeds United’s unbeaten start to the Premier League will face its toughest test this weekend when they take on champions Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Daniel Farke’s side have nine points from their opening five Premier League games and have again looked like a team that will be tough to beat, home or away.
Leeds have looked solid defensively, and in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, they have a goalscorer in form and raring to go against England’s champions.
However, both sides have injury concerns, and Joe Rodon is confirmed to miss the Arsenal clash as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
But Farke has a couple of other concerns.
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The Leeds manager is still sweating over two players
Leeds United’s international players will return to training this week ahead of the Arsenal clash, and Farke will hope to avoid any surprise injury concerns.
However, the Leeds manager is already concerned about the fitness of two players ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium next weekend.
Harry Wilson missed the 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace due to injury and was pulled from the Wales squad to recover.
It’s unclear whether the Welsh winger, who arrived at Leeds on a free transfer in the summer, is fit to feature against the Gunners in north London.
Leeds are also sweating over Jean-Matteo Bahoya’s fitness after he picked up an ankle injury on international duty with the France Under-21s.
The Whites have yet to update fans on whether he will be ready for the squad against Arsenal.
Bahoya made his debut for Leeds against Crystal Palace, and is keen to get his career going at Elland Road in the coming weeks.
However, the ankle injury could set him back further as he tries to win Farke’s trust and earn a permanent move to Elland Road.
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What if Wilson is not fit to play at Arsenal?
If Harry Wilson is not fit, Farke should resist the temptation to reshuffle the side completely. Leeds have made a positive start to the season without him, and there is no need to disrupt the balance that has taken them unbeaten into the international break.
He should keep the back three intact and stick with Anton Stach in midfield, where his energy and physicality could be particularly important against Arsenal. The main decision comes further forward. Noah Okafor should keep his place, while Brenden Aaronson can operate in the attacking role and look to exploit the spaces behind Arsenal’s midfield.
Dan James is another option, particularly if Farke wants more pace on the counter, but his recent form makes him better suited to an impact role from the bench.
Leeds will miss Wilson’s creativity, but they can compensate with a more direct, energetic approach.
Firstly, i’m a big fan of Dan James not just cos were both Welsh !
My concern is after playing a blinder last week against Denmark,why was he benched last night and not used even though we were losing ? If he’s picked up yet another injury, then maybe it’s time we let him go.
Considering their lack of ability and physical stature, James and Aaronson should only be considered for selection after our academy players as they still have a chance of developing into men.