Marcelo Bielsa is having another spectacular season as the head coach of Leeds United as they attempt to restore their long-awaited Premier League status. The Whites top the Championship table heading into the third round of the FA Cup this weekend where they face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. It is the perfect opportunity for the Championship boss to prove he is Premier League ready by overcoming an opposition side in transition.
Nine points clear of the Championship play-off places, the Argentine manager can afford to select a strong starting eleven for the cup clash before they face Sheffield Wednesday in their next Championship encounter. Bielsa must select top scorer Patrick Bamford, who also has a point to prove having been with Premier League clubs Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Burnley, without scoring. In total the striker has just a single Premier League goal to his name, while he was with Middlesbrough; but against an out of sorts Arsenal side he has the perfect opportunity to build up his confidence.
Unfortunately, Leeds are likely to be without playmaker extraordinaire Pablo Hernandez. The ex-Swansea City player has been an integral part of Bielsa’s side but sustained a hamstring injury against Fulham and is set to miss the whole of January. In his absence Jack Harrison must step up to become the provider against Arsenal; the English midfielder has provided six assists this season in the Championship, as well as scoring five himself.
Another player who is likely to be busy is ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla. The Spaniard is one of the most highly decorated players in the Championship and has proven to be a cut above most other goalkeepers, keeping 12 clean sheets in 25 appearances. That means he has kept the opposition out in nearly half of his league games so far this season and he may be required to produce some heroics in the cup against a high calibre opposition.
With a margin of three wins clear in the automatic promotion spots, Bielsa should not miss this opportunity to provide an upset against Arsenal. Playing a full-strength side in the FA Cup would be an excellent barometer of how ready Leeds United are for the Premier League.
