Arsenal suffer injury setback ahead of Leeds United clash | OneFootball

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Football FanCast

·26 October 2021

Arsenal suffer injury setback ahead of Leeds United clash

Article image:Arsenal suffer injury setback ahead of Leeds United clash

Arsenal are set to still be without one of Mikel Arteta’s key first-team stars when they face Leeds United in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night…

What’s the latest?

The Gunners extended their unbeaten run to seven games across all competitions with a resounding 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Friday and they now face Premier League opposition in the Round of 16 of the Carabao Cup.


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However, Arteta will not have the services of first-choice left-back Kieran Tierney after he missed last weekend’s game with a bruised ankle. That’s the word from the Press Association, as relayed by FourFourTwo ahead of kickoff.

Is Kieran Tierney a big miss for Arsenal?

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It’s thought that the Spanish head coach is expected to make numerous changes, but with a lack of options in Tierney’s role, Nuno Tavares may have to remain.

Big setback

This is a massive blow to Arsenal and their chances of achieving a result against Leeds, who despite being in poor form can easily devastate top-flight opposition on their day.

After all, they finished ninth last season – just one place behind the north London giants – and remained undefeated against the likes of United, City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs at home, so they are certainly a team to be feared despite now finding themselves one place above the relegation zone.

Crucial to Marcelo Bielsa and his system are his wide options, in which the lethal Raphinha could feature on the right.

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Article image:Arsenal suffer injury setback ahead of Leeds United clash

WHO IS THE PLAYER?

His presence down the wing would require someone of Tierney’s calibre to stop him – he averaged 1.8 tackles and 2.2 clearances per 90 during the 2020/21 campaign, via WhoScored, proving to be a rock-solid defensive option who is alert to danger.

To not have him available, in a competition which is very much winnable for the Gunners, is certainly going to be a disappointing setback for Arteta, and it could be one which leaves him and the fanbase rather concerned, considering the opposition.

Tierney’s backup Tavares is vastly inexperienced, having only played 317 minutes

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