Should Arteta keep an eye on Europe and rest players against Leeds?

Should Arteta keep an eye on Europe and rest players against Leeds?

By Peter White

After appearing to have salvaged their season around the turn of the New Year, back-to-back Premier League defeats have seen Arsenal’s hopes of securing a European spot plunged into fresh doubt. 

The Gunners had proved themselves as one of the league’s form sides with a seven-game unbeaten run since Boxing Day, but 2-1 and 1-0 undoings at Wolves and Aston Villa respectively have so far made February a month to forget. 

Such results have left Arsenal sitting 11th in the table after 23 matches, eight points off West Ham in sixth and a further one behind defending champions Liverpool, who occupy the last top-four place ahead of this weekend’s action. 

Bridging that gap in the campaign’s remaining 15 clashes represents something of an uphill battle, especially considering that five of the teams above them have played at least one game fewer. 

Arsenal’s best chance of ensuring they remain in the mix with some of Europe’s elite next year then could be success in the Europa League, which returns next week after a break of two months. 

Currently unbeaten in the competition in 2020/21, Arsenal swept through Group B with six wins from six to set up a Round of 32 tie with Portuguese giants Benfica, with the first leg in Rome on Thursday. 

Before that Mikel Arteta’s charges entertain Premier League newboys Leeds United in domestic duty, who leapfrogged Arsenal into tenth thanks to their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last time out. 

While the coming together of two teams separated by just a point promises plenty of thrills and spills, we consider whether Arsenal should somewhat divert their attention away from the league in order to fulfil their European ambitions. 

With a place in the next season’s European mix perhaps now more likely to be achieved by usurping Benfica and beyond, should Arteta make some changes this weekend ahead of a long trip to Italy? 

What to expect from Leeds

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds have garnered huge attention since arriving back in the top flight after 16 years in the wilderness, thrilling fans far and wide with an exciting brand of free-flowing football that has quelled many lockdown blues. 

Though an emphasis on attack has been exploited at times by the likes of Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Leicester City, the Whites ran Liverpool close on the opening day and have taken points off Manchester City as well as Arsenal earlier this season. 

The Gunners’ November’s 0-0 stalemate at Elland Road was largely tarnished by Nicolas Pepe’s sending off for headbutting Ezgjan Alioski, and Arteta knows even with a full-strength squad his team will be asked questions by the Whites this weekend.

He said: “They are a really brave, dynamic and attacking side with a great coach and a bunch of players who believe 100 per cent in what they do. 

“They just go into every game with the same energy and enthusiasm to get the points. I think they deserve more points than they have in the table at the moment.” 

Though key man Kalvin Phillips is an injury doubt after hobbling off against Palace, Leeds are likely to yield chances by utilising a high press and dominating possession, having produced 25 shots against the Gunners in the teams’ last meeting. 

Leeds have conceded a Premier League high 11 goals from set-pieces this season though - including eight from corners - and their frailty in such situations could present a window of opportunity for Arteta’s men. 

Rob Holding could be a man to keep an eye on, with the 25-year-old having developed into a threat at set-pieces with 12 shots at goals since the North London derby in December. 

Who could come in?

If Arteta does decide to prioritise the Europa League, a selection of players who have been on the periphery of the XI could find themselves in contention for a starting berth for Sunday's 4:30pm kick-off. 

Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey are out injured, forcing the Spaniard’s hand at left-back and central midfield with Cedric Soares and Dani Ceballos expected to retain their places in the starting line-up. 

Bernd Leno and David Luiz are available again after suspension, and Arteta could decide that 90 minutes against an energetic Leeds side could provide the pair with the ideal preparation for a clash against a classy Benfica outfit in midweek.

Emile Smith Rowe has been among Arsenal’s standout stars with nine appearances since the festive season, and he could be rested which would allow January loan signing Martin Odegaard to come in for his full debut. 

Elsewhere, a start for skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could aid his pathway back to full fitness, while exciting centre-back Pablo Mari may make his first appearance since January 9 having returned to the bench against Aston Villa. 

Youngsters Gabriel Martinelli and Folarin Balogun are also pushing for involvement, with Arteta having talked up the former last week. 

He said: “It’s about getting in his rhythm and getting his place in the team like anybody else. Don’t forget that we played him last time against Manchester United and he started ahead of other players, so it’s not like he’s not having the opportunities.

“We know that he’s got a huge potential and he’s done some really good things since he’s come back. He has a lot of things to develop in his game because of course at his age it's normal.”

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