Arsenal vs Leeds: 4 pre-match discussions

2. How Conservative Will Leeds Play?

No two matches are the same, although Sunday’s clash will be about as contrasting as can be when compared to the reverse meeting between these sides in December.

Arsenal tore Leeds to shreds in the first half as they hounded down the Yorkshire side high up the pitch, forcing numerous turnovers and exploiting the spaces vacated in behind their central defenders.

Bielsa is gone and Marsch is in, bringing with him a whole new set of ideas about how to play.

But key has been trying to steady the ship and stop conceding the farcical number of goals they were earlier in the campaign. Against Manchester City he even implemented a back five shape, and while they did look to get at Pep Guardiola’s side, there was certainly more pragmatism to the approach.

Now utilising a zonal defensive system they’ve become more solid at the back, with an emphasis on keeping games tight and nicking a goal, a far cry from bombastic all-guns-blazing approach of his predecessor.

On the one hand, a point would be seen as strong result for Leeds in the battle to avoid the drop, yet points are utterly paramount for them with Everton capable of leapfrogging them in the table when they kick off at the same time on Sunday.

Do they go for it, or keep things tight and try to sneak a one-goal win with a clean sheet? For Arsenal’s sake, the former would be more welcome.

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