SM
Southampton vs. Liverpool: 13 hrs 36 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Marcelo Bielsa offers encouraging support to "great coach" Mikel Arteta

:Headline: Marcelo Bielsa offers encouraging support to 'great coach' Mikel Arteta: ID:435068: from db_amp
Leeds head to the Emirates Stadium looking to inflict on Arsenal a third-straight league defeat.

Marcelo Bielsa has offered encouraging support to Mikel Arteta before their two sides clash in the Premier League on Sunday.

Bielsa's Leeds head to the Emirates Stadium looking to inflict on Arsenal a third-straight league defeat and sit 10th, one place above the Londoners, in the table.

Arteta has faced plenty of criticism in his first full season in charge with some Gunners fans fearing they could be on course for their worst-ever Premier League finish, but Bielsa is clearly impressed.

"I think he's a great coach," said the Argentinian, whose side are chasing their fourth win in five league games.

"His team have never lost their identity. They have different types of players for every position, which demands knowledge of the style."

Arsenal were fortunate to leave Elland Road with a point when the two sides last met in November, but Leeds have a woeful record in the capital.

Their last win in London was in December 2017 at QPR and they have not won at any ground there in 14 matches since.

Bielsa could be without midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who is in a race to recover in time from a calf injury sustained in Monday's home win against Crystal Palace.

Spain forward Rodrigo and Pablo Hernandez (both muscle strain) are among those who continue to miss out and the doubts over Phillips means Mateusz Klich should resume in the starting line-up.

Klich – a mainstay during Leeds' promotion-winning campaign – was dropped to the bench for last month's wins at Newcastle and Leicester, but appeared to have recovered his zest after starting against Palace.

"It's very difficult to maintain your level in a competition that's so long and so competitive," Bielsa said of the Poland midfielder.

"Of course, players have highs and lows, which is natural. It's true in the game against Crystal Palace, Klich looked more like the player he is."

Patrick Bamford and summer signing Raphinha have been two of Leeds' outstanding performers this season.

Bamford scored his 12th league goal of the season in the win over Palace and Bielsa said: "It's praise that is deserved.

"In all the aspects of his game there's been an evolution. From now on what's important is to maintain consistency for what's left of the season."

Patrick Bamford celebrated his 12th Premier League goal of the season in Monday night's home win against Crystal Palace (Jon Super/PA)

Leeds fans will be hoping reports linking Brazilian winger Raphinha with a possible summer move to Liverpool prove wide of the mark.

"He's a player with good physical attributes for the position," Bielsa added. "He's a player who's quick and can sustain his quickness over a long distance.

"He has the resources of a winger in terms of dribbling and when to attack the space in behind."

amp_article__435068 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-02-13 13:28:28:
html db last update - 2021-02-13 13:28:28 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Marcelo Bielsa

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .