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Joe Mewis

Raphinha handed first Leeds United start as Bielsa makes Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo decisions

Marcelo Bielsa has been boosted by the return of Kalvin Phillips for this afternoon's clash against Arsenal at Elland Road.

Leeds United went into the international break on the back of consecutive 4-1 defeats but will be buoyed by the England international's return following a shoulder injury that has seen him missed their last three matches.

While Phillips slots straight back into the starting XI, record signing Rodrigo will have to settle for a place on the bench in his return to the squad following his positive coronavirus test.

Summer signing Raphinha makes his first start in the second of two changes from the side that lost at Crystal Palace last time out, as Pascal Struijk and Helder Costa drop out of the starting line-up.

Illan Meslier is set to continue in front of an unchanged back-four of Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas.

Phillips returns in his usual position, which means Mateusz Klich can operate in his usual number eight role.

Raphinha will potentially start in the number ten position, leaving Jack Harrison and Gjanni Alioski to operate wide and Patrick Bamford up front.

Alternatively, Alioski may feature at left-back with Stuart Dallas in midfield.

Pablo Hernandez, Jamie Shackleton and Diego Llorente all miss out on today's squad through injury.

A win will see Leeds moved ahead of Mikel Arteta's side, with the Gunners looking to arrest a slide which has seen them lose three of their last four matches.

Leeds United XI: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Alioski, Klich, Raphinha, Harrison, Bamford

Subs: Casilla, Costa, Roberts, Poveda, Rodrigo, Struijk, Davis

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