Marcelo Bielsa press conference: Leeds United boss on team news, Arsenal and Kalvin Phillips' return

Read the headline news from what Marcelo Bielsa had to say to the press ahead of this weekend's Premier League fixture with Arsenal.
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Marcelo Bielsa has finished his media duties ahead of Sunday's Premier League showdown with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal at Elland Road.

The Whites head coach was quizzed on a number of topics from the fitness of his first team squad to Arsenal and how he will deal with Arteta's side.

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Here are the key questions and answers from what Bielsa had to say to the press ahead of this weekend's return to league action:

Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa. (Getty)Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa. (Getty)
Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa. (Getty)

What is the latest team news? Are Rodrigo, Diego Llorente and Kalvin Phillips available?

Bielsa: Kalvin [Phillips], yes. Rodrigo, yes. Diego Llorente, not yet. [Jamie] Shackleton, not yet. We have added Pablo Hernandez to the injury list also - he picked up a muscular injury this week. It is nothing serious but he won't be available.

Diego Llorente - how serious is his injury?

Bielsa: What happened with Llorente is that he was injured and recovered. He then had a relapse in the first training session back. He is now cured but because of the relapse he is being given extra time to fully get back to be sure.

Is Kalvin Phillips fit enough to start?

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Bielsa: It's probable. I can't guarantee it - but is is probable. It is less likely that Rodrigo will start.

What are your thoughts on Arsenal and the job Mikel Arteta is doing?

Bielsa: Arsenal is one of the best teams in the league. They have players of hierarchy in all of their lines. They have a manager who proposes a style which distinguishes the team.

He [Arteta] is a coach who wants to play as he projects. From a tactical point of view, if you watch Arsenal closely they show things that I have never seen in any other team.

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What is the most important trait when it comes to leadership and management?

Bielsa: The most important thing is to convince without betraying the player. You can convince a player by lying to him, but that doesn't last long. If you can convince without lying, that is what good coach's do.

What steps are needed for your team after the break following two defeats in the Premier League?

Bielsa: The international break doesn't allow for the evolution of the team. It is difficult to balance the training given the realities of everyone.

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The players who stay at Leeds can rest more but the ones away with the nations teams have less time. The collective work is impossible to do as not everyone is here.

We have looked to correct individual errors and we have incorporated young players to work with the first team.

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