Arsenal vs Leeds: 5 key players to keep Cup run alive

2. Matteo Guendouzi

I have not been impressed with Matteo Guendouzi lately and, to compile on that, Granit Xhaka has been on the top of his game, so Guendouzi has been paling by comparison. But in this one, with Xhaka getting the match off (and still potentially leaving), we need to see Guendouzi return to form.

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Under Unai Emery, he was cruising. He was the most exciting player on the team by far and probably our most valuable player as well, both financially and on the pitch. But since being pushed aside for the Lucas Torreira/Granit Xhaka partnership, he’s been far less useful.

It’s all part of the growing process, but he is going to be called upon to play that possessive role in the midfield against Leeds, and it would be a huge lift if he could find his way back into the domineering form he’d been in. Needless to say having a midfield presence is more than a little important and we won’t have Xhaka to do the job.

There’s even a chance that Torreira sits this one out, though that’s extra risky. Whatever the case, this is Guendouzi’s time to shine.

Finally, No. 1.