Daniel Farke has named his Leeds United XI to take on Arsenal this afternoon
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
14:00, 31 Jan 2026
Gabriel Gudmundsson starts(Image: Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Daniel Farke has decided to make a change in defence for Leeds United‘s clash with Arsenal this afternoon, with Gabriel Gudmundsson coming back from injury to start on the left.
Gudmundsson had only a slim chance of making the squad according to his manager on Thursday, amid his adductor injury, but not only makes the cut but starts the game.
Sebastiaan Bornauw therefore makes way, with James Justin moving over to right centre-back and Joe Rodon coming centrally again. Pascal Struijk completes the back line, defending Karl Darlow.
The goalkeeper is set to have a busy day. This game could be a battle of the defences and the set-pieces, with both teams nifty from dead balls.
Meanwhile, Brenden Aaronson retains his place as the supporting striker. Aaronson, in good form, played off Dominic Calvert-Lewin in Monday’s 1-1 draw at Everton in a hybrid number 10 role.
In possession, he goes out to the flank but when Leeds lose the ball, he tucks back in centrally. Calvert-Lewin will be keen to get a goal, being just one away from hitting double figures in a single season for the first time in five years.
He missed the 5-0 reverse fixture in August due to lack of fitness having only signed just as the season was beginning.
The midfield sees Ilia Gruev retain his place for a sixth straight game, with Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach completing the trio. Sean Longstaff remains on the bench.
Absent from the matchday squad is the injured Lukas Nmecha – out with a minor hamstring issue. Daniel James has returned to training but has not made the cut for today.
Leeds XI: Darlow; Justin, Rodon, Struijk; Bogle, Stach, Ampadu, Gruev, Gudmundsson; Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Perri, Byram, Bornauw, Longstaff, Tanaka, Buonanotte, Okafor, Gnonto, Piroe.
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