Daniel Farke confirms Leeds United blow ahead of Arsenal clash

Daniel Farke confirms Leeds United blow ahead of Arsenal clash Leeds Injury Update: Daniel James Out, Harry Wilson Doubt for Arsenal Clash Leeds United head to Arsenal with a problem in the wide areas and no point pretending otherwise. Daniel James is out, Harry Wilson is a doubt, and Joe Rodon will not be involved either. For Daniel Farke, that is a decent chunk of pace, creativity and defensive reliability removed before a difficult away trip. James suffered a back injury while away with Wales and will miss the game in north London. Farke made that clear when he said: “Also, Daniel James will miss the Arsenal game, so he is out with a back injury. He came back with this back injury, more or less, from his national team and for that he is not available for this game.” Rodon is further along in his recovery, but not far enough to make the squad. Farke said: “Joe (Rodon) is on his way back in his rehab making good progress. He has already had individual sessions on the pitch but it will be a bit until he is back in team training.” That tells you everything, progress is real, availability is not. IMAGO Daniel Farke Facing Leeds Selection Problem Wilson gives Leeds a sliver of encouragement. The former Fulham man is back in team training after a muscle injury, but Farke is waiting to see how he responds physically before making a final call. His update was straightforward: “Also some good news with Harry Wilson after his muscle injury, he is back in team training since Tuesday. Again, we also have to wait right now how his body reacts but there is also a chance for him to be available going into this game.” There was better news elsewhere, with Jean-Mattéo Bahoya recovered from an ankle strain. That matters, because Leeds need bodies and they need options. Leeds United Form Gives Arsenal Real Warning Even with the injuries, Leeds arrive in good shape. They sit fifth in the Premier League, three points behind Arsenal, and remain unbeaten. That is not some early-season statistical quirk. It is a team that has been consistently difficult to beat and far more organised than many expected. Farke has no interest in downplaying that. “It’s not coincidence that in the last 10-11 months we are the fifth best team in the Premier League in terms of points. We haven’t won the lottery to be in fifth, it’s not a coincidence that we are unbeaten after a very impressive start to the Premier League.” That is blunt, and accurate enough. Leeds have earned their position. Arsenal, though, are a different level of examination, particularly at the Emirates with Declan Rice well rested and defenders Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie back in the frame. Arsenal v Leeds Set for Serious Test This is where Leeds find out how solid the start really is. Without Daniel James, and possibly without Harry Wilson, they lose weapons that can hurt teams in transition. Farke still has a side playing with structure and belief. Against Arsenal, belief alone will not be enough. Leeds will need discipline, precision and probably a bit of suffering too.