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‘Christmas miracle’: Leeds fans buzzing over player’s selection hint ahead of Arsenal clash

Giuseppe Labellarte

Sat 18 December 2021 6:15, UK

Leeds United face Arsenal in Saturday’s late Premier League kickoff at Elland Road.

The Whites aren’t quite deep in relegation trouble but they’re not in a great position either.

Leeds have lost their last two Premier League games and sit five points clear of the bottom three.

In addition, they conceded seven to Manchester City last time out.

And to make things worse, the Leeds squad is severely depleted ahead of the Gunners game.

Jamie Shackleton and Dan James were both forced out of the game against City.

Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper, Rodrigo and Pascal Struijk are also out injured.

Meanwhile, Junior Firpo is serving a one-game ban.

However, there is one piece of good news as far as personnel is concerned.

Robin Koch has been absent since the opening-day defeat at Manchester United due to a pelvic issue and then illness.

However, Bielsa has now confirmed that the German defender is available against Arsenal on Saturday.

“Robin Koch is available,” the Leeds boss told the club’s .

“It’s not an evaluation we will make just yet [on whether he will play].

“Luke Ayling came back to play as a starter after playing 45 minutes with the Under 23s.

“Koch has accumulated training sessions here that are sufficient.”

Bielsa normally prefers to ease returning players into action.

However, with so many players out, he may have little choice on this occasion.

And on Friday, Koch took to Twitter with what appears to be a hint towards starting on Saturday.

Needless to say, Leeds fans loved what they saw:

I just feel like as long as we have festively named players like Robin and Joseph in the team, there's always the chance of a Christmas miracle 🎄

— mesly (@MellyMaestro)

Need you to cover 6 positions tomorrow robin – hope you are ready & boy it's good to have you back 👊

— Tone (@bielsaball28)

Good luck Robin. Have a good solid and injury free game

— Paul Sandham #FBPE (@SandhamP)

Just you on your own tomorrow mate

— Dibble (@MattDibble1996)

Bang one in from 30 yards tomorrow x

— Ashli 🇮🇨 (@Ash_LUFC_)

If you score don’t slide on your knees !!

— dave (@dave64082900)