Here are the Leeds United evening headlines for Saturday, November 21.
Bielsa confirms one new injury setback
Pablo Hernandez has suffered a muscle injury and will play no part against Arsenal tomorrow, Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa confirmed in his pre-match press conference.
The 35-year-old Spaniard last featured in the 4-1 defeat to Leicester City and was visibly frustrated at the decision to substitute him midway through the second half.
Bielsa then left him out of the subsequent match away at Crystal Palace, but confirmed he was fit at the time.
He has since suffered a setback over the international break, but Rodrigo, who missed United’s last two matches after testing positive for coronavirus, is back available in his place.
Here’s all the latest injury news in full.
Key advantage highlighted ahead of Arsenal visit
Arsenal’s first-team regulars have racked up more minutes than United’s players over the recent international break.
With Europa League involvement on top of their Premier League campaign, Mikel Arteta has had to be wary of the danger of overloading his players with too many minutes and rotate accordingly.
Bielsa has been without Ezgjan Alioski, Liam Cooper, Mateusz Klich, Robin Koch, Stuart Dallas, and Tyler Roberts over the past fortnight, with the group away representing their national teams.
But Arsenal had 12 internationals away, cumulatively racking up 700 more minutes than Leeds’ players, while key players Kieran Tierney, Bukayo Saka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all featured prominently for their countries.
Here’s all the details in full.
Former Leeds defender identifies “massive” boost
Danny Mills has told Football Insider that the return of Kalvin Phillips will be hugely important for Leeds’ chances against Arsenal after Bielsa said it was “probable” he’d start.
The former England and Leeds right-back has been full of praise for academy graduate Phillips, who was sidelined for the recent 4-1 defeats to Leicester City and Crystal Palace.
“It’s a massive boost to have a player of his quality back in the squad and back in the side. It’s superb,” Mills said.
“If you look at the other side of it, Arsenal, Thomas Partey is out for them and he’ll be a massive miss, we all know how important that position is now, that holding midfield position.
“The calming influence that Kalvin has on the rest of the team is big as well. Him coming back is a huge boost.”
