Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon ahead of Saturday evening’s clash against Arsenal and gave an update on Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu.
Having secured three points against Everton in their opening game, there is less pressure on Leeds to get a result against Arsenal or Newcastle in their next two games, both of which will prove incredibly tough.
Leeds secured a clean sheet on Saturday and that will give the defence some confidence ahead of the trip to Arsenal, with an away clash at The Emirates one of the toughest fixtures Leeds will face all season.
Leeds will also have Jaka Bijol to choose from after the Slovenian was suspended against Everton. It will be up for debate over whether Bijol starts against Arsenal, or Pascal Struijk retains his place in defence.
But there is also another possible selection dilemma for Farke, after Ethan Ampadu was unusually subbed off against Everton after being on the receiving end of a robust tackle from Everton’s Tim Iroegbunam.
Daniel Farke provides update on Ethan Ampadu ahead of Arsenal
Ampadu was down for a good few minutes after Iroegbunam’s tackle on 56 minutes, yet the Leeds star soldiered on until the 78th minute. Jamie Carragher said Ampadu was the best player on the pitch.
After Everton, Farke said Ampadu had a “big bruise” and that the knock was not ideal with Arsenal only five days after the win over Everton. Farke has repeatedly said Ampadu is Leeds’ most important player.
Leeds need Ampadu, and in Thursday’s press conference, Farke gave an update on the Wales midfielder. He said: “Bad news, with him. Sadly, the next few games we have to play without him. An MCL injury.
“He will be out at least until the international break. I hope to have him on the other side of the break, he’s pretty quick after injuries and back in training, but of course it is a blow for us for the next games.”
With Ampadu sidelined for the next three games, it will see the skipper miss Saturday’s game against Arsenal as well as the cup game against Sheffield Wednesday and next weekend’s welcome of Newcastle.
With and without Ethan Ampadu since midfielder joined Leeds
Bought for a measly fee of just £7m in the summer of 2023, Ampadu became Farke’s first Leeds signing and a year later, the former Venezia and Spezia star was made Leeds captain after Liam Cooper’s exit.
After just two years, Ampadu has written himself into Leeds legend. For captaining and lifting a league title, in a season where they amassed their most-ever points, or his drunken antics on the bus parade.
| Games | Wins | Points dropped | Clean sheets | Average points per game | |
| With Ampadu | 87 | 52 | 86 (33.0%) | 41 (47.1%) | 2.01 |
| Without Ampadu | 19 | 10 | 19 (33.3%) | 7 (36.8%) | 2.00 |
Clearly, Leeds accrue just as many points with or without Ampadu. But, the difference in clean sheets with the skipper is telling and if Leeds are to win games in the Premier League, preventing goals will be key.
The chances are that while Ampadu is missing, Ilia Gruev could come into the side. A more defensive option compared to the likes of Anton Stach, Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff. All eyes on his starting XI.
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