David O’Leary has told TalkSPORT (Friday, 8.55AM) that Leeds United’s bid to survive Premier League relegation hinges on the next 10 days and whether the Whites can get results against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
Leeds go to Arsenal this weekend and will be without the likes of Tyler Adams, Willy Gnonto and Max Wober who have all picked up injuries over the last few weeks. Adams may not even feature for the rest of the 22-23 season.
But, Liam Cooper is back and will likely replace Wober in defence. Luis Sinisterra is getting back to full fitness, while Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison are also options to come in for Gnonto. There is cover for Adams, too.
Ex-Leeds manager, and former Arsenal player O’Leary was asked on Friday morning if he feels Leeds have enough to avoid the drop. He believes that games against Palace and Forest at Elland Road will dictate our possible safety.
“They’ve got Forest and Palace at home. They’ve got two massive games, and will decide whether they will stay up,” O’Leary said on TalkSPORT, when previewing Saturday’s clash at The Emirates between two of his former sides.
O’Leary says Leeds bid to survive hinges on Palace and Forest games
Arsenal is a free hit. Any Leeds fan expecting the Whites to get a result in North London this weekend is lying. A trip to the Gunners is arguably the hardest game in the Premier League this term. A loss is not going to dampen spirits.
Of course, a heavy loss to Arsenal would do so. But if Leeds can hold the Gunners at bay for long enough, to make Arsenal fans begin to worry, then there is every chance Javi Gracia could mastermind a point away from home.
But in the overall picture, Arsenal away is a free hit and the Leeds players will be told to play with freedom. It is the games against the likes of Palace and Forest that will keep Leeds up – and they come around in the next 10 days.
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