Boss Javi Gracia provided his team news at Thursday’s pre-match press conference, at which he confirmed that Tyler Adams (hamstring) was sidelined in addition to Willy Gnonto (ankle) and Max Wober (hamstring) who could be out for another one or two weeks.
Adam Forshaw (hip) and Stuart Dallas (femoral fracture) also remain injured for a side who signed off for the March international break with a 4-2 win at relegation rivals Wolves that propelled Leeds from second-bottom to 14th and now two points above the drop zone.
But Gnonto and Wober both started at Wolves meaning two definite changes at the Emirates and this is the XI that we think will line up against Mikel Arteta’s odds-on title favourites.
1. GK - Illan Meslier
A no-brainer with Meslier miles ahead as first choice keeper. Photo: George Wood
2. RB - Luke Ayling
Rasmus Kristensen is knocking on the door but Ayling is currently first choice right back. Photo: Lewis Storey
3. CB - Liam Cooper
United's captain returned from injury as a second-half substitute for Scotland in Tuesday night's Euros qualifier victory against Spain and the skipper looks the obvious call to replace the injured Wober at centre-back. Pascal Struijk is the alternative. Photo: GEOFF CADDICK
4. CB - Robin Koch
Surely a certainty to start once more at the heart of the defence, the only debate being who partners him and in what system as Gracia has the option of playing both Cooper and Struijk along with Koch in a back three but two centre-backs of Koch and Cooper might well be the call. Photo: Lewis Storey
5. LB - Junior Firpo
Firpo was bought to be the club's new first choice left back and is finally building a decent run of consecutive starts there. All set to continue. Photo: OLI SCARFF
6. CM - Marc Roca
With Adams out, Roca in centre midfield is a selection that more or less picks itself. Photo: George Wood